By BONIFACE AKARAH

The President of the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP), Fegalo Nsuke, has described the ongoing dialogue between the Federal Government and the Ogoni people as the first genuine, people-driven engagement in the 36-year struggle over oil exploration in Ogoniland, urging the people to embrace the peace process.

Speaking at the Ogoni National Rally held at the Bera Central Field in Gokana Kingdom on Saturday, Nsuke commended President Bola Tinubu and the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, for initiating what he described as a historic dialogue process rather than imposing oil activities on the people.

According to him, the current administration has charted a different course from previous governments by opting for dialogue to resolve the long-standing Ogoni question.

“The dialogue process marked a significant turnaround in our struggle to secure a better future for our people. In our 36 years of active resistance against the Nigerian oil industry, this is the first and only Nigerian regime that has initiated and committed to an Ogoni-driven dialogue process rather than the traditional attempts to force oil drilling activities in our land without proper consideration for the concerns of the Ogoni people,” Nsuke said.

He noted that the renewed hope for the Ogoni people began on January 21, 2025, following President Tinubu’s directive establishing the Ogoni Dialogue Committee under the supervision of the National Security Adviser.

“This new hope became ignited on January 21, 2025 with the formation of the Ogoni Dialogue Committee following the directive by Mr. President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, mandating the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu to enter into dialogue with the Ogoni People. This was followed by extensive engagements within Ogoni leading to the recommendations submitted to Mr. President by the Ogoni Dialogue Committee on September 24, 2025,” he stated.

Nsuke said the dialogue had opened a new chapter for the Ogoni people after decades of conflict and state repression, expressing optimism that the process would deliver lasting peace and development.

“We are compelled to embrace this people-centered dialogue process and particularly commend Mr. President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his peaceful disposition in the handling of this delicate issue. We also appreciate the efforts of the National Security Adviser, Malam Nuhu Ribadu for his strong commitment to the dialogue process. History will remember you, sir, for these record-breaking achievements and for championing the resolution of what has become one of Nigeria’s most embarrassing records of human rights violations,” he said.

The MOSOP president also paid tribute to veterans of the Ogoni struggle, saying their sacrifices kept the movement alive despite years of persecution.

He urged the Federal Government to accelerate the implementation of agreements reached through the dialogue process while providing greater clarity on addressing the developmental needs of Ogoniland.

“We are beginning to see the most positive signs of government commitment to resolve the Ogoni problem in a way that accommodates the concerns of the Ogoni people. We appreciate this turn of events and encourage the government to speed up the process with clarity so that we can finally put this sad history behind us with a speedy march into a brighter future,” he said.

Calling on the Ogoni people to remain united, Nsuke stressed that dialogue remained the best path to resolving the decades-long conflict.

“While we are yet to conclude ongoing discussions with the government on a framework to implement our demands and development needs, we cannot opt to further prolong the conflict when other parties to the conflict are opting for dialogue with a hand of friendship. I wish to remind you that ‘In a non-violent struggle, there is no better alternative to dialogue.’ To use the words of former President Muhammadu Buhari, ‘We have an opportunity, let us take it.’ I urge you to unite and let us collectively take this opportunity, and make the best out of it,” he added.