THERE are insinuations that the current leadership tussle rocking the apex socio-political group in Ogoniland, the Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People, MOSOP, may not be unconnected with the alleged expected benefits accruable from the implementation of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) report.
The body seemed fractionalised as two citizens currently lay claim to its presidency after last week’s election in Bori, Gokhana Local Council of Rivers State.
The incumbent, Legborsi Pyagbara, was said to have won the election which held last Wednesday with 51 votes as declared by the chairman, MOSOP Electoral Committee, Prince Biira, while his opponent, Mike Lube-Nwidobie also, through a factional Electoral Committee Chairman, Legborsi Esan, was announced winner with over 800 votes on same day.
However, Secretary to MOSOP Electoral Committee, Bari-ara Kpalap, while briefing journalists on the development at the weekend in Port Harcourt, disclosed that the expected benefits accruable to the UNEP report implementation were responsible for the crisis.
He explained that MOSOP had been a peaceful organisation, alleging that the squabbles were being masterminded by some influential persons whose sole interest was the profits they hope to derive from the implementation of the UN document.
According to him: “The action of Nwidobie and other members of the group is predicated on the resolve of President Muhammadu Buhari to implement the UNEP report. They are masquerades being used by some influential persons who are desirous of hijacking key administrative positions in the organs that will be set up in the course of implementing UNEP report,” Kpalap alleged.
He described their actions as a distraction, adding that “their interest is selfish as they see Legborsi as someone who cannot be compromised.”
“It is unfortunate that some Ogonis regard MOSOP as a vehicle to attain their personal political and economic interest to the detriment of the collective interest of the Ogonis,” the MOSOP spokesman added.
He, however, urged the ‘loser’ to approach the court and seek redress if he unsatisfied with the outcome of the election.
Meanwhile, Nwidobie has filed a protest letter to the electoral committee chairman, expressing lack of confidence in the composition of the committee, which he alleged, was peopled by aides of the incumbent.
