Leaders from Ogoniland have petitioned President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, accusing Nyesom Wike, minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), of undermining ongoing efforts to resolve the long-standing crisis in the oil-producing region.
The petition, dated January 25, was submitted under the platform of the Conscience of Ogoni People (COOP), a group formerly known as the Ken Saro-Wiwa Associates. The group urged the president to intervene and protect the federal dialogue process currently being coordinated by Nuhu Ribadu, the national security adviser (NSA).
COOP described the dialogue as the most comprehensive and sincere engagement in over three decades, aimed at addressing environmental degradation, economic marginalisation, and the suspension of oil production in Ogoniland since 1993.
According to the group, the talks are designed to achieve lasting peace, environmental restoration, economic reintegration of the area, and the safe resumption of oil operations in Oil Mining Lease (OML) II—a move they say could significantly improve national revenue, foreign exchange inflow, energy security, and employment.
However, the Ogoni leaders alleged that Wike has been making deliberate efforts to frustrate the peace process, linking the dispute to developments during his tenure as governor of Rivers State.
They pointed to a long-running compensation case involving the Ejama Ebubu community and Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) over environmental damage, which the community reportedly won in court.
The group claimed that during Wike’s administration, the Rivers State government became entangled in the dispute, allegedly acquiring a substantial interest in OML II amid delays in compensation payments.
This, they said, resulted in protests against SPDC facilities, increased pressure on SPDC and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), and a subsequent settlement reportedly valued at about $300 million, the utilisation of which remains controversial.
COOP further alleged that Wike now views the NSA-led peace talks—and the cooperation of Siminalayi Fubara, governor of Rivers State—as a threat to interests he is believed to have in the oil block.
The petition also cited recent events during Ribadu’s visit to Ogoniland, alleging that political allies of the FCT minister boycotted engagements at the community level, thereby weakening the dialogue process.
The group appealed to President Tinubu to caution Wike against further interference, direct security agencies to investigate the allegations, and ensure the continuity of the peace initiative.
“Ogoniland has suffered decades of conflict, manipulation, and neglect,” the statement said. “For the first time in many years, there is genuine hope that justice, peace, and development may return to our land.”
