Tension In Rivers As Oil Resumption Talks End Abruptly
Tension gripped Bori, the traditional headquarters of Ogoniland, on Saturday after a highly anticipated congress aimed at discussing the proposed resumption of oil exploration in the area was cut short unexpectedly.
This meeting followed President Bola Tinubu’s recent directive to Ogoni leaders during a session in Abuja, urging them to consult with their communities on the matter and report back with their collective input.
The gathering, which was scheduled to take place at the Peace and Freedom Centre in Bori, Khana Local Government Area of Rivers State, drew an overwhelming crowd from the four local government areas that make up Ogoniland: Khana, Gokana, Tai, and Eleme.
The venue was filled to capacity well before the 1 p.m. start time, with hundreds more unable to gain entry. This forced organizers to relocate the meeting outdoors to an open field.
Despite the change of venue, the crowd continued to grow, with prominent political figures in attendance, including Senator Barry Mpigi representing Rivers South-East, Deputy National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Chief Victor Giadom, and former President of the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP), Ledum Mitee.
In response to the swelling crowd and mounting tension, Co-Chairman of the Ogoni Dialogue Committee and respected cleric, Ignatius Kattey, alongside Mitee, addressed attendees, explaining the meeting’s purpose in line with President Tinubu’s instructions.
Senator Mpigi, in his vote of thanks, urged the Ogoni people to remain united, maintain peace, and move beyond past grievances.
Although the meeting officially began around 2 p.m.—an hour later than planned—it was abruptly concluded within an hour. The sudden departure of key dignitaries in their vehicles sparked frustration among the youth, who criticized the disorganized nature of the event.
As tempers flared, some aggrieved youths brandished placards demanding greater transparency in the consultation process.
Emma, a youth from Khana, expressed his dissatisfaction: “How can they call Ogoni people from four LGAs for the first meeting to one small place and expect to achieve results? It is not possible because many people will want to speak.
“The best thing they would have done is to begin the discussion from the kingdoms or the LGAs before calling an enlarged congress to harmonize the views,” he added.
The abrupt end of the meeting has further fueled concerns over the handling of the oil resumption talks, with many calling for a more inclusive and transparent approach moving forward.
More details to follow…
