The President and Chief Executive Officer of the Ogoni Liberation Initiative (OLI), Dr. Fabeke Douglas, has lamented that the Ogoni people continue to endure hardship despite the vast crude oil deposits in their land.

In a statement made available to The Guardian in Abuja, Douglas accused some Ogoni indigenes of undermining their own liberation efforts by persecuting those who stand up for the cause of justice and development.

He recalled the tragic fate of Ken Saro-Wiwa and other Ogoni leaders who were executed for championing the struggle for environmental and economic justice, saying the people were manipulated into turning against their own heroes.

“After thoroughly examining available information and confidential reports, it became clear that our people were manipulated to destroy Ken Saro-Wiwa and others who were divinely sent to liberate Ogoniland and the Niger Delta,” he said. “They were framed and persecuted by their own brothers.”

Douglas said the Ogoni struggle had long suffered from internal betrayal and manipulation by political interests, noting that many non-governmental organisations and activists have been targeted for maintaining a consistent advocacy for the people’s rights.

He cited a recent incident in Bori, Rivers State, which he described as an attempt to recreate the “Giakoo experience” of violence and division within the community.

“We exercised extreme caution and wisdom due to revelations received before the scheduled prayer day,” he said.

According to him, young people in Ogoniland are being exploited by a “slave political system” incapable of defining a sustainable future for itself.

He urged them to look to God and focus on building a collective development front through projects such as the proposed International Trade and Welfare Centre.

Douglas disclosed that over ₦200 million had already been invested in the centre before progress was stalled, but expressed optimism that the vision would be revived.

He drew parallels with his advocacy for the rights of the girl child in Chandigarh, India, which earned him the United Nations Global Icon Award in 2005.

“We discovered the secret to freedom there, and the struggle succeeded. We are conveying the same message to our people, we have discovered the secret to freedom, and there is nothing to fear,” he said.

He called on the Ogoni people to remain united, prayerful, and vigilant, stressing that liberation and prosperity are achievable through courage, wisdom, and faith.