The Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People (MOSOP) has joined other well meaning organisations across Rivers State to call on the Federal Government to clear the nine Ogoni martyrs of criminal charges.
MOSOP which said this at the 23rd anniversary/commemoration of the Ogoni martyrs in Port Harcourt also urged for a national movement in their honour.
President of the movement, Legborsi Pyagbara said in line with the spirit of national reconciliation, President Buhari should extend the gesture given to late MK O Abiola, the acclaimed winner of June 12 1993 presidential election to the Ogoni nine, by not only clearing their names, but set up a national movement in their honours.
While decrying pressures for the resumption of oil exploration in Ogoniland, he said oil exploration in Ogoniland would only resume after proper consultations with the people.
Pyagbara also stressed the need for the Ogonis to eschew violence and the anniversary to further rededicate themselves to the ideals of the Ogoni struggles.
He also urged youths involved in cultism in the area to have a rethink and stressed the need for the Federal Government to set up security architecture in the area to curtail the evil of cultism.
The MOSOP President also decried the slow pace implementation of the cleanup process which had become frustrating and capable of engendering crisis in the area.
Also speaking, chairman of the occasion, Chief Precious Ngbor thanked MOSOP for keeping the memories of the Ogoni martyrs alive, and stressed the need for all the Ogoni’s who died during the struggles , to also be remembered.