You cannot benefit from our oil and deny us political inclusion, Rivers leaders told

By Daniel Abia

Former President of the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People, MOSOP, Legborsi Pyagbara, has declared that oil production cannot resume in Ogoniland until issues of political marginalisation and exclusion of the Ogoni people are addressed.

Pyagbara made the remarks during a media parley with journalists in Port Harcourt, accusing the political establishment in Rivers State of sidelining the Ogoni ethnic nationality from the state’s top political leadership despite its contributions to the economy of the state and the country.

The environmental rights advocate, who also serves as Executive Director of the African Foundation for Energy and Sustainable Development, AFESD, said the Ogoni people could no longer accept a situation where their natural resources continue to benefit others while they remain politically excluded.

“There cannot be any oil resumption in Ogoniland if the issue of Ogoni political interest is not addressed,” he stated.

“You cannot like our oil and refuse to like our political representation. You cannot talk about taking oil when you feel we cannot be politically included in the political space.”

Pyagbara argued that the Ogoni people, as one of the major ethnic nationalities in Rivers State, should not continue to occupy subordinate political positions in the state.

“We cannot be in Rivers State and remain servants in Rivers State. We cannot be a major ethnic group and remain political servants to others,” he said.

The former MOSOP leader also warned against what he described as political domination by a single ethnic bloc in the state, insisting that all ethnic nationalities in Rivers State deserve equal treatment and representation.

“All ethnic persons in this state are equal citizens. We cannot build a hegemony of one ethnic community above the other, and one person cannot assume himself to be the political overlord of Rivers State. That is not acceptable,” he added.

Pyagbara maintained that demands for political inclusion and equity had become non-negotiable for the Ogoni people, stressing that any attempt to resume oil exploration without addressing those concerns would amount to injustice and continued oppression.

According to him, the Ogoni people are becoming increasingly politically conscious and would no longer allow themselves to be used merely as electoral tools during elections.

He also warned politicians of Ogoni extraction against pursuing personal ambitions at the expense of the collective interest of the people.

The activist further disclosed that he and other stakeholders would support any political platform willing to back the emergence of an Ogoni governor in Rivers State, irrespective of political affiliation.

“If other political parties feel Ogoni cannot produce the governor, then we have no alternative than to throw our support behind whoever is willing to support that aspiration,” he said.

“I will use all that I have to provide support to that person, whether we win or lose. We must make a statement through that.”

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