After months of consultations, the MOSOP Kingdom Coordinators Forum has rejected the suspension of two key officers of the Pyagbara-led executive by the Steering Committee.

“The forum is concerned about the constitutionality of these actions and deeply express its displeasure over the reckless abuse of office and disregard for the norms of MOSOP which have become the current order under Mr. Pyagbara,” a statement signed by Chairman, MOSOP Kingdom Coordinators Forum, Frank Jonah said.

According to the statement, a copy of which was made available to News Express, “The forum concluded that the suspension of the Publicity Secretary and Assistant Secretary of MOSOP respectively, Mr. Legborsi Esaen and Mr. Elvis Ikoma were unconstitutional and a mere abuse of privileges of the MOSOP Steering Committee.

“The Kingdom Coordinators Forum notes that even in the very difficult moments of the Ogoni struggle, replacements were only made after key officers abdicated their responsibilities but no one ever got suspended as the intention of the founding fathers was not to use disciplinary measures against the Ogoni people.

“We’ll like to note that The Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) is a mass organisation intended to promote unity and advance the interests of the Ogoni people and the founding fathers did not intend to exclude any Ogoni from its membership at any time, thus, the issue of suspending members or executives were never in their contemplation. If there be any body who can suspend an executive of MOSOP, it has to be an overwhelming decision of the Ogoni congress and not a Steering Committee decision.

“The MOSOP Coordinators note that never in the history of the organisation has anyone been suspended despite the plethora of offenses and abuses committed by various individuals and groups.

“The MOSOP constitution is also clear on the issue that no one can be suspended from the MOSOP’s membership or its hierarchy. The action of the Steering Committee is therefore clearly in violation of the constitution of MOSOP and principles of freedom, fairness and equality which MOSOP represents.

“The MOSOP Kingdom Coordinators Forum therefore urges Mr. Legborsi Esaen and Elvis Ikoma to continue to perform the functions as the Publicity Secretary and Assistant Secretary of MOSOP respectfully.”

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