MOSOGP REJECTS IYC CLAIMS, SAYS OGONI IS NOT PART OF IJAW NATION
The Movement for the Survival of the Gokana People (MOSOGP) has strongly rejected recent statements credited to the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), declaring that the group has no authority or affiliation with Ogoni affairs or the ongoing environmental remediation in Ogoniland.
In a statement signed by its President, Deenor Lucky, MOSOGP described as misleading and provocative calls allegedly made by a faction of the IYC, led by Dr. Alaye Tari Theophilus, for the removal of the Honourable Minister of Environment, Mallam Balarabe Abbas Lawal, and the Project Coordinator of the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP), Professor Nenibarini Zabbey.
MOSOGP stated unequivocally that Ogoni is not part of the Ijaw nation, stressing that the Ijaw Youth Council has no mandate, authority, or recognized role in Ogoni matters, particularly the implementation of the UNEP Report on Ogoniland.
According to the group, HYPREP remains a Federal Government intervention agency with a clear and lawful mandate to remediate environmental damage in Ogoniland, adding that only legitimate Ogoni institutions and stakeholders are authorized to speak on issues affecting the people and their land.
The organization commended the Honourable Minister of Environment for what it described as renewed commitment and leadership in addressing environmental degradation in Ogoniland and the wider Niger Delta. It also praised Professor Zabbey’s leadership at HYPREP, citing improvements in transparency, professionalism, community engagement, and project execution.
MOSOGP warned that any attempt by external groups to interfere in the Ogoni cleanup process or demand the removal of key officials overseeing the project is baseless, unacceptable, and capable of undermining progress, vowing that such actions would be strongly resisted.
“The Ogoni people are capable of speaking for themselves,” the statement read, emphasizing that Ogoniland’s environmental future must not be subjected to politicization, external interference, or divisive ethnic narratives.
MOSOGP called on the Federal Government, security agencies, relevant authorities, and the general public to disregard statements or demands by the Ijaw Youth Council concerning Ogoniland, HYPREP, or the Ministry of Environment, stressing that the cleanup exercise is a matter of environmental justice, survival, and dignity for the Ogoni people.
Watch Press conference Here
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