Ogoni leaders pick Wike to lead multi-consultative discussions with FG
[FILES] Nyesom Wike
Ogoni stakeholders have met with Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, and unanimously agreed that he leads a multi-consultative forum to discuss with the Federal Government the planned resumption of oil production in OML 11.
This was disclosed in a statement, yesterday, by Special Assistant (Media) to the Rivers State Governor, Kelvin Ebiri. The stakeholders said the choice of the governor was aimed at preventing saboteurs who may want to adopt divide and rule tactics to cause crisis in Ogoni at the detriment of the people.
Briefing journalists after a closed-door meeting held at the Executive Chambers of Government House, Port Harcourt, yesterday, former President of Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP), Ledum Mitee, said the meeting with Wike is sequel to the meeting a delegation of Ogoni leaders had with President Muhammadu Buhari a couple of weeks ago in Abuja.
According to him, the Ogoni delegation to Abuja discussed a number of issues and it was important to brief the governor on these. He said: “We reviewed the outcome of that meeting and we, as a people, resolved that the issues that were discussed are such that required partnership with the state government.
“In other words, we felt that the Government of Rivers State and Ogoni people would work together to pursue some of those issues, specifically on OML 11 and resumption of oil production.”
In his briefing, Senator Lee Maeba said the Ogoni are resolved to file behind the leadership that will be provided by Wike concerning the setting up of a multi-consultative forum.
Senator Olaka Nwogu said they have willfully given authority to Wike to offer leadership that will elicit multi-organisational response to the oil issue in Ogoni land.
On his part, Senator Barry Mpigi said before any further discussion with the Ogoni, the Presidency should complete the East-West Road and expedite action on the clean up exercise.
A prominent Ogoni women leader, Chief Priscilla Vikue, said her people are united and will not allow anyone pass through the back door to take Ogoni oil.
