Ogoni youths under the aegis of Ogoni Youths Development Initiative have threatened to embark on
on a statewide protest in the coming weeks against oil resumption without creation of Bori State.
The group made this known in a letter of notice addressed to President Bola Tinubu and copied to the President of the Senate
Federal Republic of Nigeria
Abuja, Mr. Godswill Akpabio, the National Security Adviser, Alhaji Nuhu Ribadu and Mr. Bayo Ojulari, Group Chief Executive Officer,
Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited – NNPCL
Also copied are the Honourable Minister of State
Petroleum Resources (Oil)
Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, the Honourable Minister of State Gas Resources
Rt. Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo, the executive Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminialayi Fubara, the Speaker
Federal House of Representatives, the minister
Ministry of Interior, the chief of Army Staff, the Director General Department of state security service DSS, the Commandant General of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps NSCDC, the Chairman
Police Service Commission, the Inspector General of Police, Comr. Joe Ajaero
National President
Nigeria labour Congress (NLC), the Director General
Nigeria National Interligence Agency,NIA, the Defence Minister, the executive Chairman, Eco and the Chairman
Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related offences Commission ICPC.
Others are; the state Director Department of state security service Dss Rivers state, the commissioner of police Rivers state police command and the state commandant
Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps NSCDC Rivers State Command.
The letter signed by its
Global President,
Comrade Imeabe Saviour Oscar, pointed out that the creation of Ogoni state was the only thing that could commensurate for the lives lost and the environmental devastation suffered by Ogoni people
The letter read;
“The leadership and entire membership of the Ogoni Youths Development Initiative (OYDI) hereby notifies the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Federal Government (FG) on our intentions to embark on a statewide protest in the coming weeks against oil resumption without creation of Bori State.
“Also, we write to make our position clear regarding the clandestine and insincere moves to resume oil operations in Ogoniland. Let it be known that we are not fundamentally opposed to economic progress or oil exploration in our land.
” However, the ground of Ogoniland is soaked in the blood of our heroes who died fighting for justice, equity, and the survival of our people. We cannot, and will not, allow their ultimate sacrifices to be in vain.
“At this stage of our struggle, the only outcome that can truly commensurate for the lives lost and the environmental devastation suffered is the immediate creation of Bori State.
“If the Federal Government cannot grant this simple request of the Ogoni people by creating Bori State, then they must leave our oil in the ground. Again, we want to state that we have completely lost faith in the Federal Government’s approach due to a total lack of transparency in these oil resumption moves. A stark example of this insincerity is the ongoing laying of pipelines across Ogoniland while stakeholders are supposedly still talking. This act of bad faith undermines our people and proves that the current process is designed to exploit us once again and cause more chaos in our midst rather than ameliorate the years of suffering.
“Consequently, OYDI demands the following: The Immediate Disbandment of the Ogoni Dialogue Committee (ODC): We, the youths, have completely lost confidence in this committee. Their operations lack transparency, they are not inclusive of the youth demography, and they do not represent our collective interests anymore. Their activities regarding oil resumption must be aborted immediately; adherence to the Ogoni Bill of Rights: The Federal Government must respect the foundational terms of our struggle as outlined in the Ogoni Bill of Rights, beginning with the political autonomy that only the creation of Bori State can guarantee. Finally, we warn the Federal Government and all joint-venture partners to cease all clandestine moves to force oil operations back into Ogoniland without addressing our core demand for state creation.
“In the coming days, OYDI will fully mobilize Ogoni youths across all kingdoms for massive, widespread protests. We will go all out to peacefully but firmly shut down any attempt to resume oil operations until Bori State is created and the fraudulent dialogue processes are dismantled.
“We have chosen the path of justice for our fallen heroes. Create Bori State, or leave our oil in the ground. That is our demand”.
