Stakeholders have expressed concerns over a scheduled Abuja meeting between the Presidency and Ogoni indigenes in Rivers State on the resumption of oil production in their domain.

The Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People (MOSOP) yesterday confirmed that their representatives were scheduled to meet with the Presidency today in Abuja to resume talks on oil production.

But in a joint statement by Prince Nuyete Biira, Fegalo Nsuke, and Olu Andah Wai-Ogosu, MOSOP said its leaders had not been contacted for the Abuja meeting.

The group warned that any discussion on oil resumption in Ogoni land without the involvement of its leadership would not be successful.

The statement said: ?The attention of the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) has been drawn to reports relating to a meeting called by the Presidency on Tuesday, January 21, 2025 in Abuja to discuss issues pertaining to resumption of oil production in Ogoni.

?While we are not opposed to oil resumption in Ogoni, and considering the impact of the oil crisis on the Ogoni people, we expected proper consultation and inclusivity in conversations relating thereto.

?Hitherto, the leadership of MOSOP has not been consulted. It is, therefore, surprising that MOSOP learnt of such meeting in the media. It is important to state that any discussion concerning oil resumption in Ogoni and related matters cannot be successful without the involvement of the leadership of MOSOP.?

In the statement, MOSOP said it had made significant progress in restoring peace and unity in the organisation and then people.

It added: ?We hope the non-inclusive meeting will not undermine the peace building efforts of MOSOP and the achievement made on Ogoni Day, January 4, 2025.

?Furthermore, MOSOP expects that the meeting will not dampen the progress made in persuading the Ogoni people to buy into the oil resumption campaign.

?MOSOP is concerned, and particularly worried, that the outcome of the proposed meeting could trigger civil uprising in Ogoni and jeopardise the gains of ongoing peace and reconciliation efforts, which is pre-requisite for any real development.

?MOSOP urges various interest groups within and outside Ogoni to support the ongoing peace process to speedily achieve a mutually beneficial resolution of the problem. (The Nation)

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