Ogoni To FG: No Community Endorsement, No Oil Deal

The Ogoni Dialogue Committee (ODC) has drawn a clear red line in its negotiations with the Federal Government: there will be no Memorandum of Understanding on the resumption of oil exploration in Ogoniland until the Ogoni people themselves endorse it through credible community congresses.

The committee stated its position on Monday, November 9, 2026, after its latest meeting in Port Harcourt, attended by 35 members.

Briefing journalists after the meeting, former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt and member of the committee, Professor Ndowa Lale, said the committee remains united as the dialogue enters its most critical stage.

The Gbenemene of Tai and Paramount Ruler of Kpite Community, His Royal Majesty King Samuel L. A. Nnee, who is also Convener and Coordinator of the Supreme Council of Traditional Rulers of Ogoni, called for unity and sustained cooperation to secure the best outcome for the Ogoni people.

King Nnee commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his administration’s interest in resolving the Ogoni question, and acknowledged the Office of the National Security Adviser, headed by Nuhu Ribadu, and the Director-General of the Department of State Services, Oluwatosin Ajayi, for their roles in advancing the dialogue.

He urged stakeholders to remain patient and committed to a lasting outcome, admitting that the process has been painstaking and sometimes difficult.

Another member of the committee, Rev. Fr. Pius Kii, Judicial Vicar of the Catholic Diocese of Port Harcourt and Senior Lecturer at Rivers State University, said the committee has resolved to support the Federal Government’s efforts to resume oil exploration in Ogoniland for the benefit of Nigeria and the Ogoni people.

Fr. Kii disclosed that local government chairmen have been mandated to engage and sensitise their communities ahead of the proposed congresses, adding that significant progress has been recorded. He expressed confidence that the chairmen would complete the assignment within the timeline set by the committee, after which the harmonised MOU will be presented to the local government congresses.

Professor Innocent Barikor, also a member of the committee, said the meeting resolved to draw the Federal Government’s attention to the stoppage of work on confidence-building projects earlier agreed upon as part of the dialogue.

Barikor said the committee will appeal to the Federal Government to urgently resume work on the abandoned projects, particularly the Eleme section of the East-West Road, noting that the projects were meant to deliver tangible benefits and restore public trust in the process.

In his closing remarks, the Paramount Ruler of Eleme Kingdom, His Royal Majesty King Philip Osaro Obele, JP, Oneh Eh Eleme XI, assured Ogoni people of the committee’s commitment to unity, wider consultation and an agreement that serves the collective interest of the people.

He emphasised that the ODC will not sign any MOU until credible and authentic congresses, as approved by the committee, are organised and conducted by the elected local government council chairmen.