Ogoni people have been enjoined to avoid divisive tendencies but rather unite and move forward.
The former President of Movement for Survival of Ogoni People (MOSOP), Mr Ledum Mitee, who made the call during a Peace Committee Congress, convoked to chart a way forward for MOSOP, in Bori, announced the dissolution of all existing factions of the group forthwith.
According to Mr Mitee, MOSOP should be united in their struggles and move with one accord.
“I also hear you people say that MOSOP and Ogoni people should be united, if we are united, we can deal with our enemies, if we are united, we can deal with the issues of violence, and MOSOP can champion the move against those who want to exploit us.
And that MOSOP will carry our collective support. This is the time to move forward.”
The former MOSOP President, who is also a lawyer, noted with displeasure that some members of the body had not been faithful in their financial contributions to the progress of the pressure group, which he stated was a prerequisite to stand for elections.
“In the course of our consultations with the grassroots of MOSOP, the Chapter leaders and the Kingdom coordinators, they indicated to us that even some who claim to be heads of MOSOP and its organs don’t even have their names in MOSOP register in their respective chapters.”
Mr Mitee who asked the communities to go back to their clans and solidify their commitment to Ogoni struggle, told them that an electoral committee will be set up to midwife a new leadership for the group.
Similarly, two other stakeholders, Prof. Ben Naanen and Dr. Owens Wiwa while expressing sadness over balkanisation of MOSOP, stressed the need to have a common front by all Ogonis.
According to them, the disintegration that hit the socio-cultural organisation has watered down its advocacy for economic liberation of Ogoniland.
“Over the years, our entire efforts have been overtaken by personal ambition and so, we all are committed to the belief that MOSOP will never die. That MOSOP shall rise again.”
“We can only have our place in Rivers State if we are united, we can only have our worth in Ogoni if we are united, if we stay divided, we are not going to get it.”
“And we are going to continue to fight for our rights, peacefully and non-violently and we shall win.”
Professor Naanen and Dr. Wiwa reminded the participants that if they continued to be divided among themselves, strangers would take advantage of their treasures.
Adding their voices for the female-folk, Gbene Joi Nunieh encouraged Ogoni people to make good, the sacrifices of their heroes past by being courageous in the principles they stood for, such as love for one another, integrity and truth.
She stressed the need for inclusiveness, especially for the women.
In the same vein, Dr. Patience Osaroejiji, while telling the participants to be united and sacrifice for the peace of Ogoni, decried the environmental degradation of Ogoni Land; adding that progress can only be achieved in a peaceful environment.
The event was attended by elders, youths and women from the four local government areas that make up Ogoni land.