The Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) has weighed in on growing controversy surrounding the ongoing Ogoni Dialogue with the Federal Government over the proposed resumption of oil exploration in Ogoniland.
Speaking at a press conference led by its President, Andah Wai-Ogosu, on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, MOSOP addressed concerns raised by stakeholders and youths over the handling of the dialogue process.
The organisation urged Ogoni people to remain calm and avoid actions capable of deepening divisions or undermining the struggle for justice.
“MOSOP recognises that the concerns being expressed by various individuals, groups and stakeholders arise from the deep importance attached to the Dialogue and from the legitimate desire of the Ogoni people to ensure that the process achieves its intended purpose,” it said.
MOSOP assured the people that the concerns and allegations being raised would be investigated and relevant persons and institutions engaged to establish the facts.
The organisation recalled the sacrifices made during the Ogoni struggle, stressing that it would not support any action capable of derailing a process intended to address the longstanding grievances of the people.
It, however, cautioned that peace must not be mistaken for silence and unity must not mean abandoning legitimate concerns.
“Peace must not be confused with silence, neither should unity translate to abandonment,” MOSOP said, calling for transparency, accountability and inclusiveness in the dialogue.
MOSOP called on the Dialogue Committee to adopt full disclosure in its dealings with stakeholders and ensure that the award of the Yorla South Oil Field to Dutchford, as well as other oil and gas assets, complies with relevant national and international regulations.
It also demanded disclosure of the identities and details of the 40 beneficiaries of the consultative employment reportedly facilitated by the NNPCL, to establish their indigene status.
The organisation further urged the Ogoni Dialogue Committee to demand from Shell and its agents evidence of approved decommissioning studies conducted on OML 11 oil and gas infrastructure by the Federal Ministry of Environment.
MOSOP also called for an inclusive mechanism for the timely dissemination of relevant information to stakeholders, stressing that transparency and accountability remain essential to building confidence in the dialogue process.
