Ogoni leaders have announced that they will not give their consent to any oil‑resumption agreement with Nigeria’s Federal Government until community‑wide approval is secured through credible congresses. The leaders said the demand for a transparent, inclusive process is a non‑negotiable precondition before any deal can be finalized.
The groups representing the Ogoni people insist that any agreement to restart oil production must be preceded by duly convened community congresses that reflect the collective will of the affected populations. They argue that only a broad, verifiable mandate can legitimize the terms of a resumption deal.
The Federal Government has been seeking to lift the suspension on oil operations in the Ogoni region of the Niger Delta, an area that has long been a focal point of Nigeria’s oil industry. The government’s push to resume extraction follows a period of halted activities, but officials have not yet disclosed the specifics of a proposed agreement.
Ogoni activists cite decades of environmental damage and socio‑economic marginalisation linked to oil activities in the region. The demand for community congresses reflects a broader call for greater local participation in decisions that affect their lands and livelihoods.
Until the requested congresses are organized and a clear, community‑wide consent is obtained, the Ogoni leaders say no oil‑resumption contract will be signed, leaving the suspension in place and the negotiations at an impasse.
<small>Source: Premium Times Nigeria — read the original story there.</small>
