By, springnewsng media limited Bori, Rivers State – March 4, 2025
More than 30 civil society groups on Monday embarked on a mass peaceful protest in Bori, the traditional headquarters of Ogoniland in Rivers State, condemning the Nigerian government’s decision to resume oil exploration in the region.

The protest, led by the youth wing of the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP), saw participation from the National Youth Council of Ogoni People (NYCOP), the Federation of Ogoni Women’s Associations (FOWA), the Ogoni Living Martyrs, the Ogoni Peace and Unity Forum, and other advocacy groups. The demonstrators demanded justice for Ken Saro-Wiwa and the Ogoni Eight, who were executed in 1995 for their activism on environmental stewardship and human rights.

Marching through the streets of Bori, protesters carried placards with messages such as “Clear Ken Saro-Wiwa’s Name Now,” “No to Forceful Oil Resumption,” “We Want Justice for Ogoni 9,” “Ribadu and Mitee, Leave Ogoni Oil Alone,” “Stop the Ogoni Genocide,” and “No Exoneration, No Oil Resumption in Ogoniland.” They insisted that any resumption of oil production must be driven by MOSOP, emphasizing the group’s historical role in expelling Shell from Ogoni in 1993 and its continued advocacy for the people’s rights.

MOSOP President Rejects Imposed Decisions

Addressing the protesters, MOSOP President Fegalo Nsuke stressed that the organization must be involved in any oil exploration activities. “There cannot be oil resumption in any part of Ogoni without input from MOSOP leadership. We will not accept any decision imposed on us without our consent. We will resist any attempt to marginalize us or ignore our rights,” he declared.

Nsuke called on President Bola Tinubu to halt the process initiated by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and urged a more transparent and inclusive engagement with the Ogoni people.

NYCOP Demands Justice and Indigenous Participation

Similarly, NYCOP President Barinuazor Emmanuel reiterated the group’s demands, calling for the exoneration of Ken Saro-Wiwa rather than a pardon. “Ken Saro-Wiwa was not guilty of any crime. He was a hero who fought for the rights of the Ogoni people, and his name must be cleared,” he stated.

Emmanuel further demanded operational licenses for indigenous Ogoni companies, the unbundling of OML11, and adequate compensation for the Ogoni people. He also called for a panel of inquiry into the deaths of the Ogoni Four, emphasizing the need for justice and accountability.

“We want to know what happened to our brothers. We want those responsible to be held accountable. We will not accept any decision imposed on us without our input. We will resist any attempt to marginalize us. Ogoni youths want oil resumption in Ogoniland, but the federal government must engage in roundtable discussions with the Ogoni people,” he added.

Call for Government Engagement

Emmanuel clarified that the Ogoni people are not opposed to development but to exploitation and marginalization. “We want to be part of the decision-making process, and we want our rights to be respected,” he asserted.

He also urged former MOSOP President Ledum Mitee to align his stance. “You cannot serve two masters. You must choose which side you are on. If you want to lead the discussion, you must be on the side of the Ogoni people,” he warned.

The protest highlights the ongoing tensions surrounding oil exploration in Ogoniland and the community’s unwavering demand for justice, inclusivity, and transparency in decisions affecting their land.