The Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) has distanced itself from a purported congress allegedly held on June 13, 2026, describing the action as lawlessness and a blatant disregard for a subsisting court order delivered on February 27, 2025, at the Saakpenwa High Court, presided over by Hon. Justice D.G. Kio.
MOSOP condemns attempt to derail dialogue
The group strongly condemned the attempt to derail the ongoing dialogue process coordinated by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA). It criticized the desperation for personal benefits, urging that such ambitions should not overshadow patriotism in pursuing the ultimate goal of Ogoni development.
MOSOP President Fegalo Nsuke, in a statement made available to The Guardian in Abuja, noted that the extremely poor turnout signaled an outright rejection of the fraudulent congress by the Ogoni people.
Court order nullified previous election
“Justice Kio had clearly nullified a purported election of Engr. Olu Andah Wai Ogosu as president of the group and restrained others from parading as MOSOP presidents, including Prince Biira and Legborsi Pyagbara,” Nsuke said.
Nsuke denounced the congress, describing it as reflecting extreme desperation and a lack of clarity of purpose. He maintained that there would be no going back on the ongoing dialogue to resolve the over-three-decade conflict with the oil industry, as there can be no better alternative in a non-violent struggle.
Leadership is about solving problems
“Let it be clear that leadership is about solving problems and not escalating them. No going back on ongoing dialogue to resolve the Ogoni problem of over three decades because it doesn’t make sense to scuttle the process in a non-violent struggle, and MOSOP cannot be part of that thinking,” Nsuke stressed.
The MOSOP president emphasized that too much desperation for personal gains rather than public good is driving people into indiscipline and lawlessness. “The meeting of June 13, 2026, is a charade because an Ogoni Congress must be presided over by a president, and I was not there neither did I give permission.”
Dialogue process seen as opportunity
“We have always seen the dialogue process offered by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) as an opportunity to resolve our differences, and we will try to make the best use of it so that we can come out of the process,” he said.
While encouraging and affirming MOSOP’s support for the political aspirations of individuals, Nsuke said this should not be approached in isolation and must be pursued by liaising with other ethnic nationalities within a multi-ethnic Rivers State to gain the momentum required for achieving those aspirations.
Appeal for calm and unity
He urged the Ogoni people to remain calm and disregard all attempts to incite them against themselves or anyone else. “We will continue to pursue and negotiate a beneficial pathway for lasting peace and for the good of the land,” he concluded.
