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Call Wike To Order, MOSOP-USA Tells Tinubu …Gives Conditions For Resumption Of Oil Production In Ogoni
The Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People, United States chapter, (MOSOP-USA) has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to control the excesses of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, whose activities have allegedly stiffened and threatened the President’s government.
MOSOP USA, in a statement by his President, DineBari Augustine Kpuinen, also wanted the President to “investigate the $300 million belonging to the Ogoni people paid by the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPC) as compensation, allegedly embezzled by Wike.
“MOSOP USA needs peace in Rivers State. We need Nyesom Wike to stop terrorising the sitting Governor, Sim Fubara. We call on the President to prevail on Nyesom Wike to allow the sitting governor to manage the affairs of Rivers State in peace, just as he was allowed to govern when he was governor and prepare to pay the Ogoni people money meant for the development he embezzled.”
The group also chastised some Ogonis who it described as “greedy, self-centered Ogoni indigents, government agents, and saboteurs, who have consistently undermined Ogoni efforts to be self-governed within the Nigerian state.”
According to Kpuinen, “There is confirmed information reaching MOSOP-USA that some greedy, self-centered Ogoni indigents, government agents, and saboteurs, who have consistently undermined Ogoni efforts to be self-governed within the Nigerian state, have gone to Abuja to meet with President Bola Tinubu to negotiate oil resumption in Ogoni.”
The statement, therefore, called on Tinubu to heed the four conditions the group has set for the resumption of oil production in Ogoniland.
“These are not arbitrary demands but crucial prerequisites that must be met before such operations commence”, it said.
The group’s demands include granting Ogoni a state in the country, cleaning up of Ogoni environment, exoneration and immortalisation of the Ogoni Nine that were executed by the Sani Abacha military junta in the 1990s, and rehabilitation and payment of compensation to the Ogonis for the atrocities meted out to them by the Abacha government.
According to MOSOP-USA, “Our ultimate goal is for Ogoni to be granted a State to be self-governed within the Federal Republic of Nigeria, similar to other ethnic nationalities. This would ensure Ogoni has a say in national budgets, as our resources are being misused. It is a step towards Ogoni controlling their political affairs, having equal representation, and using a good proportion of their resources for their development. The right to protect their boundaries and environment against further degradation, forceful encroachment, domination, and annihilation.”
It also noted that cleanup Ogoni environment would provide five basic essentials
“Clean up the previous contaminants and ensure the environment is safe for oil production; gives its citizens the five essential government obligations to guarantee that Ogoni is part of Nigeria: good roads, clean water, electricity, equipped medical facilities, and security”, it said.
The group demanded for the exoneration and immortalisation of the Ogoni Nine.
“The exoneration and immortalization of the Ogoni Nine (9), which includes Gbenemene Suanu I of the Ogoni Nation, Kenule Beson Saro-Wiwa, Comr. John Barinaaziga Kpuinen, Dr. Barinem Kiobel, Paul Levura, Baribor Bera, Daniel Gbokoo, Saturday Dobee, Felix Nuate and Nordu Eawo is not negotiable. We urge the government and people of Nigeria to straighten their records. These men remain innocent of the charges against them that led to their brutal death. MOSOP-USA demands that these men be exonerated. In honour of their memories, November 10 should be declared an Environmental or Civil rights national holiday in Nigeria.”, MOSOP-USA said.
The statement further demanded that compensation be paid to the Ogoni people “for all the atrocities meted against them by the Abacha administration.
“We call on the President to call back the citizens of the 16 communities that the Abacha administration sacked and flattened in both Oyigbo and Tai LGAs; rehabilitate and pay compensation to those who have been internally homeless and hopeless refugees. Also, pay compensation for the 4,000 Ogoni people who were massacred in cold blood by the Rivers State Internal Task Force created by Abacha while Major Paul Okuntimo executed the federal order to make Ogoni a wasteland. Those are what it takes for resumption in Ogoni.”
MOSOP-USA also called on Tinubu to stay true to democracy, recalling that before the President assumed office on May 29, last year, “he was protesting against bad governance and campaigning for true democracy as an activist with members of MOSOP-USA in the United States of America concerning the injustice and genocidal actions meted out against the people of Ogoni in Nigeria.
“MOSOP USA, therefore, demands that the President, Ahmed Bola Tinubu, should act within the ambit of the law and stay true to the cause of democracy/activism that we knew him for to provide good governance and justice to the people of Ogoni and Nigeria at large.”
On the issue of political autonomy for Ogoni and other ethnic nationalities in the country, the group said that “granting politically autonomous states is the only solution to Nigeria’s multiple problems and the only thing that will keep it together as one nation. Nigeria operates on injustice; its leaders are so deep in greediness that they oppress and victimize the poor. Greed and corruption have made Nigeria ungovernable. The rule of law has no bearing on the people. Politicians are now above the law. Truth has been buried; eventually, every ethnicity is now raising their heads, crying for justice, seeking survival like the Ogoni people. This nation shall soon collapse, except its leaders listen to the voice of wisdom.”
The group also appealed to President Tinubu to give Ogoni a College of Applied Technology.
“Finally, Ogoni needs well-equipped Federal Colleges of Applied Technology (FCAT), where the children will acquire skills and trade to meet the employment demands of the 21st century. We therefore inform the president that this FCAT will solve the problem of Ogoni underemployment as they have the most unemployed youths in Nigeria.
“Having the youth acquire basic trades and skills will help them create jobs for themselves and others, gradually eliminating unemployment and boosting the nation’s economy. We advise Mr. President to consider rebuilding the nation by providing skills and trades to the youths.”
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The Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has directed his lawyers to withdraw all ongoing defamation lawsuits against several individuals, saying he was moved by counsel during a New Year Mass.
Speaking at the Sacred Heart Parish in Uyo, yesterday, Akpabio said he had filed nearly nine lawsuits against individuals he accused of defaming him.
He said, “I had almost nine cases in court against some individuals who defamed me, who lied against me, who slandered my name.
“But I listened to the priest and suddenly realised he was talking to me, so I hereby direct my solicitor to withdraw all lawsuits against them.”
In 2025, Akpabio had filed several high-profile defamation lawsuits, including one against colleague Senator Natasha Akpoti?Uduaghan.
In late 2025, Akpabio filed a N200 billion defamation lawsuit against her over allegations of sexual harassment, which he denied and urged her to substantiate in court.
Earlier in the year, Akpabio’s wife also filed defamation suits against Akpoti?Uduaghan over claims she said had harmed her family’s reputation.
Relations between the two lawmakers soured after Akpoti?Uduaghan accused Akpabio of influencing her suspension from the Senate in March 2025, following her public allegations of misconduct.
The Senator had previously challenged actions taken against her in court, including a N100 billion defamation suit she filed against Akpabio and other defendants over alleged remarks that she said damaged her reputation.
With yesterday’s announcement, Akpabio has formally ended all pending legal disputes arising from defamation claims, signalling closure to the publicised litigations as the year begins.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has declared that the best form of gratitude Rivers people owe President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for protecting the interest of the State is to galvanize massive support for the President in 2027.
Fubara disclosed this last Monday during the commissioning of Permanent Secretaries Quarters built by his administration at Elimgbu in Obio Akpor Local Government Area of the State.
He said that the State has what it takes to deliver the President during the 2027 general elections.
“We’ve taken a decision,our decision is for the good of Rivers State, our decision is to say thank you for the protection we have from Mr President, our decision is to prove that we have what it takes to deliver Mr President.”
Fubara expressed delight over the completion of the project, stating that the initiative was to provide accommodation, a basic need of life for public servants in the state to improve their productivity.
He explained that lack of effective social welfare was at the root of some incriminating actions that undermine the purpose of governance, noting that the commissioning of the newly built Permanent Secretaries Quarters marks a significant milestone in civil service welfare and institutional development.
“Insecurity begins when individuals are uncertain of what the next hour holds. This situation is especially challenging for family men and women, affecting confidence and decision-making,” he observed.
Fubara emphasized the need for proper maintenance of the facility and urged the beneficiaries to protect the project like a personal property, while directing the State Head of Service to appoint a facility manager to ensure long-term maintenance.
In her remarks, the Special Guest of Honour and Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack, who unveiled the project, expressed appreciation to the governor and Rivers State for inviting her to commission the project.
She commended Fubara for prioritizing the welfare of Permanent Secretaries who are senior public servants and accounting officers, noting that the project reflects purposeful and visionary leadership, and urged other states to borrow a cue from the Rivers State Governor.
Walson-Jack described the initiative as a strategic investment in staff welfare and institutional continuity which she noted is in line with Renewed Hope Initiative on provision of mass housing and social stability.
“The commissioning of these houses reflect a deliberate commitment to the dignity, welfare, and productivity of senior public servants responsible for policy coordination and service delivery,” she said.
In his goodwill message, the National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ajibode Bashiru, who led a high powered delegation on a visit to the governor, congratulated Rivers people for aligning with the Pan Nigerian political party, assuring that the interest of Rivers State will be duly protected in the APC.
He described President Bola Tinubu as a detribalised Nigerian who anchors his leadership on equity, fairness and justice, adding that the APC will provide a level playing ground for all.
The APC chief scribe also commended Fubara for providing good accommodation for public servants, stating that it will address issues of sabotage, compromise and disloyalty on the part of public servants.
Giving the project description, Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Works, Dr. Austin Ezekiel-Hart, said the estate comprises 29 units, including nine standalone duplexes and 20 terrace buildings.
Facilities feature a water treatment plant, synchronized power generators, CCTV and alarm systems, a gym, recreational areas, and green spaces—designed to enhance comfort, performance, and productivity.
Earlier, the Head of the Rivers State Civil Service, Dr Mrs Inyingi Brown, had thanked the governor for his visionary initiative and unwavering commitment to the welfare of Rivers State Civil Servants, and restated the commitment of the State civil servants to the success of Fubara’s administration.
By: Taneh Beemene