The Eight Vice-Presidents of the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP), the Kingdom Coordinators along with chapter leaders have condemned in strong terms the swearing-in of Mike Lube-Nwidobie as president of the movement by Godwin N.K. Gininwa at a ceremony held in Gininwa’s residence in Korokoro, Tai Local Government Area on Monday January 11, 2016.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the MOSOP leaders described the actions of Godwin N.K. Gininwa as a nullity.

They noted that Gininwa's antecedents have clearly identified him as a friend of Shell whose major concern is to short change the Ogoni interests for his lucrative Shell business.

The statement further said: “MOSOP Coordinators hereby dissociates themselves from the activities of Gininwa and his group, which is headed by Mike Lube-Nwidobie and urges the Ogoni people to call the Korokoro chief to order before he plunges Ogoni into crises.

“For the record, we put it that Godwin N.K. Gininwa does not have the authority to swear-in any MOSOP executive either at the chapter levels, affiliate, kingdom or national level.

“We make bold to say that issues of MOSOP are far beyond the jurisdiction of a local or community chief and cannot be confined to the residence of a local Tai chief, Godwin N.K. Gininwa.”

The statement, jointly signed by Miigbara W. Tanee (Coordinator, Babbe Kingdom, Chairman); Kanyone Gbaranen (Coordinator, Ban Ogoi, Secretary); Gideon Amba (Coordinator, Eleme Kingdom,); Friday Nlekawa (Coordinator, Tai Kingdom); Isreal Sor (Coordinator, Ken Khana); Lemon Isaac (Coordinator, Gokana); Sylvanus Nkinanee (Coordinator, Nyo-Khana); and Adamgbo Sylvanus (Coordinator, Bori National Territory), warned that “Godwin N.K. Gininwa will be held responsible for any breach of peace in the Ogoni area or any injury done to anyone as a result of his actions.”

They noted that, “Our expectation of any community head is the promotion of peace and not an association with fraudulent personalities to foment trouble in our communities.

We therefore condemn Godwin N.K. Gininwa’s association with a fraudulent character like Mike Lube-Nwidobie. We see this as unfortunate and note that by this action, the credibility and integrity of Godwin N.K. Gininwa has been seriously put to question.

“We urge the general public to distance themselves from Godwin N.K Gininwa, Mike Lube-Nwidobie on issues relating to MOSOP and the Ogoni as they are a bunch of irresponsible persons acting without the authority of MOSOP or the Ogoni people.

“We also pledge our commitment to MOSOP under the leadership of our re-elected president, Legborsi Saro Pyagbara and urge the Ogoni people to give their continuous support.”

Update news