Ogoni Chiefs Demand Re-Appointment of Mike Nwielaghi as HYPREP Board Chairman

The Chiefs, Elders, and opinion leaders of Buan Community in Khana Local Government Area of Rivers State are demanding that Nigeria’s President, Bola Tinubu to re-appoint Dr Mike Nwielaghi as Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP).

This demand was conveyed via a letter dated Thursday, August 14, 2025, and addressed to the President.

Signatories on the letter include Chief Barieeba Kpasoro, Chief Theophilus Bara, Chief Menenu Eteh, Mene Zorgon-Mana, Zorgon Luudue, Chief Tamnaagbo Nwigha, Gbara Celestine, and Nueebu Monday for and on behalf of the chiefs, elders and opinion leaders of Buan Community in Ogoniland.

The Buan Chiefs expressed displeasure that Dr Nwielaghi’s name was substituted for another candidate despite a State House press release of August 11, 2025, which had signaled the President’s intention to re-appoint him.

The community leaders described Dr Nwielaghi as a long-standing supporter of Tinubu since the days of Alliance for Democracy (AD), Action Congress (AC), and later the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State.

They stressed that his re-appointment would not only reward loyalty but also ensure continuity of projects he initiated under HYPREP.

“Buan Community in the Yorla oil field has suffered decades of pollution, losing farmlands, creeks, and livelihoods to oil exploration.”

“The appointment of Chief Dr Nwielaghi was the first time in fifty years that our son held a federal position. Re-appointing him will allow him to complete ongoing remediation projects in Ogoniland,” the petition read in part.

The Chiefs further argued that the replacement nominee, Emmanuel Deeyah, though Ogoni by origin, has no immediate stake in oil production in the area, and has previously served in several political positions without tangible impact on his people.

The letter emphasized that Buan Community controls nearly 30% of stakeholders’ influence in the resumption of oil production in Ogoni and therefore deserves representation through Dr Nwielaghi.

The petition concluded with a direct appeal to the President to reconsider restoring Nwielaghi’s appointment, describing it as crucial for justice, equity, and the success of HYPREP’s mandate in Ogoniland.