There was heightened tension in Bori, the traditional headquarters of Ogoni land, on Saturday, as a planned congress to discuss the proposed resumption of oil exploration in the region collapsed due to poor organization and rising tensions among attendees.
The meeting was convened following President Bola Tinubu’s directive to Ogoni leaders during a meeting in Abuja over two weeks ago. Tinubu had urged them to consult their people on the potential restart of oil exploration in the area and report back with their collective stance.
Massive Turnout Forces Last-Minute Venue Change
In response to the President’s directive, a congress was scheduled at the Peace and Freedom Centre in Bori, Khana Local Government Area, Rivers State. The event was expected to bring together Ogoni stakeholders from the four local government areas (Khana, Gokana, Tai, and Eleme) to deliberate on the issue.
By 1 PM, the venue had already exceeded capacity, with hundreds more gathered outside. To accommodate the overwhelming crowd, organizers hastily moved the meeting to an open field.
Among the key figures in attendance were:
- Senator Barry Mpigo (representing Rivers South-East)
- Chief Victor Giadom, Deputy National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC)
- Ledum Mitee, former President of the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP)
- Ignatius Kattey, Co-Chairman of the Ogoni Dialogue Committee
Congress Ends Abruptly, Leaving Attendees Frustrated
The meeting, which eventually began around 2 PM, lasted less than an hour. After brief addresses from leaders—including Ledum Mitee and Ignatius Kattey, who outlined the purpose of the gathering—Senator Mpigo urged Ogonis to unite and embrace peace.
However, before meaningful discussions could take place, VIP attendees abruptly exited the venue, leaving many youths angry and frustrated over what they perceived as a rushed, poorly organized, and non-inclusive consultation process.
Protests Erupt Over Lack of Transparency
According to The PUNCH, discontent quickly escalated as angry youths began protesting, displaying placards demanding greater transparency and broader participation in the consultation process.
A youth leader from Khana LGA, identified as Emma, voiced his frustrations:
“How can they call Ogoni people from four LGAs for the first meeting in one small place and expect to achieve results? Many people wanted to speak, but there was no opportunity.”
“The best approach would have been to start discussions at the kingdom or LGA level before convening a larger congress to harmonize views.”
Uncertainty Looms Over Future Consultations
The chaotic and premature end of the meeting has raised serious concerns about whether a genuine consultation process will be conducted before any decisions are made regarding oil exploration in Ogoni land. Many fear that without a transparent and structured engagement, the concerns and voices of ordinary Ogoni people may be overlooked.
As tensions persist, it remains to be seen how the Ogoni leadership and federal government will navigate the complexities surrounding the proposed return of oil exploration—a topic that has long been a source of conflict and environmental concern in the region.
