MOSOP Urges Tolerance Amidst Divergent Views on Oil Resumption
The Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) have called for tolerance amongst Ogonis in the midst of divergent views on the resumption of oil production in the region. This follows the attacks on civilians who have gathered Saturday {September 27, 2025} in Bori for a prayer program.
While we commend the efforts of the Police in protecting the lives of Dr. Fabeke Douglas and averting a possible bloody clas between political tugs and the massive crowd who gathered for the event, we condemn their seeming tolerance of the attackers who brazenly destroyed people’s telephones, seized cameras and had time to delete recordings from people’s phones right in the full glare of the Police.
MOSOP acknowledges that the issue of resuming oil production in Ogoni had been central to the struggles of the Ogoni people, however, we note that it is absolutely unjustifiable and unacceptable to find the level of intolerance of divergent views, as displayed in Saturday’s attacks.
We strongly condemn Saturday’s attacks as a brazen violation of civil rights of the victims and will further emphasize the plurality of our society. In every society, views must be divergent and all peoples and groups should have the right to express their views no matter their differences.
As a movement, MOSOP seeks the best for the Ogoni people and believes that we can best achieve these goals through dialogue. It is, therefore, our position that violence has no place in our struggle. We urge Ogoni youths to denounce violence in all its forms and manifestations.
MOSOP condemns the exploitation of unemployed youths and victims of the Ogoni neglect within Nigeria by political leaders and the privileged few. While we urge Ogoni youths not to be tempted into serving the interest of politicians in expectation of a better life, we call on the political office holders to use their offices to promote the good and welfare of society.
While we remain committed to a permanent resolution of the Ogoni crisis, we urge all parties and interests to focus on the ultimate goal to restore Ogoni to the path of peace and development.
We however condemn all acts that could hurt a negotiated settlement of the crises, including the use of violence against people with divergent views.
