The Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) has declared that crude oil production cannot resume in Ogoniland until the Federal Government addresses what it described as decades of political exclusion, marginalization and unresolved grievances affecting the Ogoni people.

The position was contained in a communiqué issued at the end of the Ogoni National Congress held on Saturday at the Peace and Freedom Centre, Bori, in Khana Local Government Area of Rivers State.

The congress, attended by MOSOP leaders, youth and women groups, traditional rulers, activists and other stakeholders, warned that ongoing federal engagements with Ogoni communities appear overly focused on oil resumption while neglecting the underlying issues that sparked the Ogoni struggle.

Reading the communiqué, former MOSOP President, Legborsi Pyagbara, said the people welcomed the Federal Government’s dialogue initiative but insisted that meaningful engagement must go beyond discussions on oil exploration.

According to him, the Ogoni crisis extends beyond environmental concerns and includes issues of political representation, inclusion and equitable participation in governance.

The communiqué, jointly signed by prominent Ogoni leaders including Prof. Andah Wai Ogosu, Chief Prince Biira, Keeper Gbaranor and Dr. Gbenemene Kpae, stated that any attempt to restart oil operations without resolving those concerns would be unacceptable to the people.

“While Congress appreciates and reaffirms its support for dialogue, it regrets that the Federal Government’s efforts so far appear focused only on oil resumption without deliberate attempts to address the core issues involved in the Ogoni crisis, including political inclusion,” the communiqué stated.

The congress emphasized that resolving the Ogoni question requires tackling longstanding complaints of exclusion and marginalization, arguing that these concerns are inseparable from discussions about the future of oil activities in the area.

MOSOP also accused sections of Nigeria’s political establishment of sidelining Ogoni people from critical political opportunities and decision-making processes.

As part of resolutions reached at the gathering, the organization directed Ogoni people to support only political parties and candidates committed to advancing the political aspirations of the ethnic nationality, particularly regarding governorship positions and major party leadership roles.

The congress resolved that Ogoni voters should prioritize parties that demonstrate commitment to producing candidates of Ogoni extraction for key elective offices.

Beyond politics, the gathering also raised concerns over security challenges in Ogoni communities, particularly alleged attacks linked to herders.

MOSOP warned against further killings of Ogoni people, calling on Fulani herders to desist from acts of violence and pledging to mobilize community structures to protect lives and property.

The group maintained that the safety of Ogoni communities, political inclusion and justice for historical grievances must remain central to ongoing engagements with the Federal Government, stressing that oil resumption cannot be separated from the broader demands of the Ogoni people.