The Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) has stated explicitly that they are pursuing good alignment with the ongoing national dialogue with the Federal Government to resolve the age-long three decades crisis for the resumption of oil exploration.

The association also said that the honesty that has so far been experiencing and demonstrating by the negotiating teams on both sides (the government and the Ogoni people) gives hope that the outcome will be mutually beneficial.

MOSOP President, Fegalo Nsuke made the assertion while speaking in Giokoo, Gokana kingdom, saying “for the first time, we have a situation where discussions are focussed on the demands of the Ogoni people and not just on resuming oil production in the area.”

 Nsuke said, given the progress so far made, the association is obliged to support the ongoing dialogue.
We have fought for over 30 years and we were able to bring Shell to shame and expose their bad deeds in Ogoni.”

According to him,the government today has also admitted the wrongs and errors of the past, especially the way we were treated and dehumanised, and the good news is that the government has offered to talk and that is already ongoing.

He emphasized that it is good and we have good reasons to tell you that ongoing talks are going well.In a non-violent struggle like ours, there can be no better alternative to dialogue. Whatever discourages from dialogue is an enemy and must be avoided.

Nsuke therefore clarified the goal of MOSOP in ongoing dialogue stating that the association essentially wants to see the emergence of an Ogoni economy that protects the future of the people.

“The Ogoni struggle is essentially a protest against underdevelopment. Today, the Federal Government has offered to enter into discussions on how we can best address that problem. What can be better than that?

Our role and goal is to ensure that what we have fought for is protected so that the benefits get to those for whom they were intended and there will be no compromise on that.”

MOSOP President however urged the people to remain focused and maintain the peace as the Ogoni struggle had been a costly one and the sacrifices should never be in vain. Do not be misled by anyone.

“We have fought a good fight, a symbol of Ogoni resistance and we must remain focused at this time to protect the benefits of the struggle.

The struggle has been our lives and we have to safeguard its benefits in the interest of our collective future. If we do not protect the dialogue committee and the benefits of the struggle, then it is all in vain.” he said.