BODO COMMUNITY CONDEMNS EXCLUSION OF MONARCH FROM OGONI OIL RESUMPTION DIALOGUE COMMITTEE

The people of Bodo City in Gokana Local Government Area of Rivers State have expressed strong dissatisfaction over the exclusion of their traditional ruler, His Royal Majesty, King John Bari-Iyiedum Bebor Gberedeela VIII, from the Dialogue Committee established to discuss the proposed resumption of oil production in Ogoniland.

In a statement issued on August 2, 2026, under the banner of the Concerned People of Bodo City, the group described the omission of the paramount ruler as unfair and disrespectful to the traditional institution and the people of Bodo.

According to the statement, the exclusion undermines the significant role Bodo City has played in the history of the Ogoni environmental struggle and ignores the sacrifices the community has made over the years as one of the major oil-producing areas in Ogoniland.

The group recalled that Bodo suffered severe environmental degradation caused by oil spills, which devastated rivers, mangrove forests, farmlands and fishing activities. They noted that the environmental crisis in Bodo drew global attention to pollution in Ogoniland and contributed to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) environmental assessment that eventually led to the establishment of the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP).

The statement also highlighted that the Federal Government officially flagged off the Ogoni Clean-up on June 2, 2016, at the Bodo Waterfront, describing the event as recognition of the community's central role in the struggle for environmental justice.

The concerned residents argued that it is unjust for the same community where the clean-up exercise commenced to have its paramount ruler excluded from a committee expected to shape the future of oil production in Ogoniland.

They emphasized that King John Bari-Iyiedum Bebor Gberedeela VIII represents not only himself but also the traditional institution, cultural heritage and collective interests of the people of Bodo City.

While reaffirming that Bodo City is not opposed to dialogue or the resumption of oil production, the group insisted that any engagement must be guided by fairness, equity and inclusiveness.

They called on the Federal Government, the Office of the National Security Adviser, HYPREP, the Rivers State Government and other relevant stakeholders to immediately review the composition of the Dialogue Committee and include the Bodo monarch.

According to the group, ensuring the inclusion of the paramount ruler would promote justice, respect for traditional institutions, peaceful engagement and sustainable development in Ogoniland.

The statement was signed by the Concerned People of Bodo City and dated August 2, 2026.