Former President of the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP), Legborsi Pyagbara, has lamented the exclusion of Ogonis from the major political platforms for next year’s election in Rivers State, declaring that oil production cannot resume in the area unless issues of political marginalization and exclusion of the Ogoni are people are adequately addressed.
Pyagbara who made the remarks at a media parley in Port Harcourt, accused the political power brokers in Rivers State of sidelining Ogoni people from the state’s top leadership positions despite their contributions to the state and the Nigerian economy.
The environmental rights advocate, who is also Executive Director of the African Foundation for Energy and Sustainable Development, said the Ogoni people could no longer accept a situation where they remain politically excluded while their natural resources continue to benefit others.
“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.”
He argued that Ogoni people, as one of the major ethnic nationalities in Rivers State, should not continue to play second fiddle in the political space of 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 insisted.
Pyagbara also warned against what he described as the emergence of political domination by a single ethnic bloc in the state, insisting that all ethnic nationalities in Rivers State must be treated as equal stakeholders.
“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.
The rights activist maintained that the demand 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.
He noted that Ogoni people are becoming increasingly politically conscious and would no longer allow themselves to be used merely as electoral tools during elections.
Pyagbara warned Ogoni politicians of Ogoni against pursuing personal ambitions at the expense of the collective interest of the people.
He disclosed that he and other stakeholders would support any political platform willing to back the emergence of an Ogoni governor in Rivers State, regardless of party 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.”
