Ogoni Leaders To Tinubu: Resolve Core Issues Before Resuming Oil ProductionSteps Needed To Address Ogoni Demands For Lasting Peace

Learn about Ogoni stakeholders’ demands to President Tinubu regarding oil production resumption. Discover key issues, historical context, and the path forward for lasting peace in Ogoniland.

Introduction
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu recently met with Ogoni leaders at the Presidential Villa, directing them to consult with their people as a precursor to resuming oil production in Ogoniland. However, this directive has sparked concerns, as it failed to address the core issues that halted oil production in the region over three decades ago.

The Ogoni Bill of Rights (OBR), which outlines demands such as self-determination, compensation for environmental devastation, cessation of gas flaring by Shell and Chevron, clean healthcare, and a sustainable environment, remains at the heart of the Ogoni struggle. Without addressing these demands, stakeholders argue that resuming oil production is premature.

Unresolved Ogoni Demands

Senator Bennett Birabi, a key signatory of the OBR, emphasized the struggle’s foundation: “We cannot be pumping oil from Ogoni while all we have left are the pipelines.” Dr. Fyneface Dumnamene Fyneface, Executive Director of the Youths and Environmental Advocacy Center (YEAC-Nigeria), echoed this sentiment, describing Tinubu’s directive as “putting the cart before the horse.”

Dr. Fyneface noted that the directive appears confrontational, prioritizing oil extraction without addressing why production ceased in 1993. He stressed that unresolved issues like environmental degradation and demands for fairness in oil exploration are still at the forefront of Ogoni grievances.

The Role of Diplomacy and Compromise

Fegalo Nsuke, President of the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP), viewed Tinubu’s call for consultation as an opportunity to address systemic underdevelopment and historical injustices. He highlighted critical issues, including the 1995 execution of Ogoni leaders and the need for sustainable development through steady funding.

Nsuke stressed that while cleanup efforts and special projects are vital, resumption of oil production should coincide with addressing the demands outlined in the OBR. He urged all stakeholders to embrace diplomacy and compromise to ensure lasting peace and development in Ogoniland.

Historical Context and Government Efforts

The importance of Ogoni in Nigeria’s socio-economic landscape cannot be overstated. Ogoni contains Oil Mining License (OML) 11, comprising 33 oil and gas fields, which once produced over 500,000 barrels of oil daily. Successive administrations have attempted to broker peace with Ogoni leaders, but with limited success.

In 2005, President Olusegun Obasanjo established the Presidential Peace and Reconciliation Committee (PPRC), led by Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah, to engage Ogoni stakeholders. Despite these efforts, MOSOP consistently opposed oil production under Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), citing decades of environmental damage and exploitation.

Similarly, President Muhammadu Buhari sought to incentivize Ogoni leaders by re-awarding the N199.9 billion Bodo/Bonny road project as part of a diplomatic strategy for oil resumption. However, the initiative failed to gain traction.

The Path Forward for Ogoni

As Tinubu explores a diplomatic solution, stakeholders argue that addressing the root causes of the Ogoni crisis is non-negotiable. The federal government must demonstrate commitment by:

Implementing the Ogoni cleanup exercise as recommended by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
Ensuring fair compensation for environmental destruction.
Promoting development projects to uplift Ogoni communities.
Acknowledging and addressing historical injustices, including the execution of Ogoni leaders in 1995.

Conclusion
The resumption of oil production in Ogoniland presents an opportunity for economic growth and reconciliation. However, this must be approached with sensitivity to the demands and concerns of the Ogoni people. Tinubu’s administration has a chance to rewrite history by fostering trust, ensuring fairness, and creating a sustainable framework for Ogoniland’s development.