Following the botched election of the Movement for the Survival of Ogoni, MOSOP, yesterday, in Bori, youths of the area have condemned ‘surreptitious and desperate’ move by Prince Biira and Bariara Kpalap to impose themselves as the President and Secretary of the body.
It wentill be recalled that the Chairman of MOSOP National Transition Council (NTC), Chief Deebari Gbaranor Keeper, had earlier called off the elections of MOSOP this week due to irregularities and protest by Ogoni people, resulting from vested interest of some members of MOSOP TNC, and directed that a new date will be communicated after due consultation with all stakeholders of Ogoni.
President General of Ogoni Youth Federation, OYF, Engr Legborsi Yamaabana who made the condemnation in a statement alleged that despite the suspension, “Prince Biira and Bariara Kpalap in connivance with the self appointed electoral Committee chairman, Mr. Oluka Jonathan, being their nominee, ganged-up and called about ten persons to Green Palm Hotel in Kaani Community of Khana Local Government Area in a bid to deceive the public that election was held”.
He added: “The Ogoni Youth Federation and other Civil Society Stakeholders alongside security personnels trailed them to the hotel where they were arrested by the Police Area Commander Bori, for interrogation and thereafter, an undertaken was signed by them to the effect that no election held, and no election is going to take place until the leadership of MOSOP National Transition Council led by Chief Deebari G. Keeper, consults with Ogoni stakeholders and fix a new date for the MOSOP Election and that such actions, of clandestinely conducting election out of lust for power would not repeat itself until a decision and clarification has been gotten from the elders & all stakeholders of Ogoni”.
“However, to our greatest chagrin, the perpetrators of the botched attempted election, has taking to social media in flagrant breach & disregard of the undertaken they signed at the Command in the presence of the Area Commander, and in an attempt to hoodwink the unsuspecting public and the Ogoni people to claim that he has purportedly been elected as the president of MOSOP”.
The statement described the action as “ the height of desperation and disservice to Ogoni Nation and could be best describe as killing Ken Saro-Wiwa the second time”.
The youths call on Ogoni leaders and elites as well as KAGOTE, Supreme Council of Ogoni Traditional Rulers to call Prince Biira, Bariara Kpalap and their co-travellers to order before they throw Ogoni nation into another round of crisis, stressing that the action of the duo is a calculated attempt to cause further strife, ignite conflict and fuel violence and derail development in the area.
In view of the foregoing, OYF “urge the public and the good people of Ogoniland to disregard any purported election that may emanate from any quoter in the name of MOSOP”.
“Prince Biira and Bariara Kpalap should be held responsible for any violence that may erupt as a result of their selfish ambition of using MOSOP as a meal ticket. Security agencies, especially the Nigerian Police must immediately arrest them for going contrary to the undertaken written and signed by them in the presence of the Area Commander, in order to avert a situation where citizens will take law into their hand. If these people could lie to and deceive the Nigerian Police then, they are capable of doing anything for the soul of MOSOP.
OYF call on Ogoni people to remain peaceful, united, and vigilant as there may be serious challenges in days ahead, with these detractors to employ all conceivable tricks to cause division among the people”.
