A member of the committee facilitating talks on oil resumption in Ogoni has called on the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited to suspend operations in the area until dialogue is concluded.
Legborsi Pyagbara, who served as former President of the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People, raised the concern on Monday, September 14, 2026, in an interview with Ogoni Times. He said reports of early activities around the Ban-Ogoi axis in Tai Local Government Area are creating unease among stakeholders.
The dialogue is being coordinated by the Federal Government through the Office of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu. Pyagbara said the reported oil-related work undermines trust at a time when discussions on conditions for resumption are still ongoing.
He noted that several longstanding issues raised by Ogoni communities remain unresolved. These include the demand for the creation of Bori State, rehabilitation of public schools, and improved healthcare infrastructure across Ogoniland.
Because the matter directly affects communities, Pyagbara said the committee has maintained that addressing those concerns first will help build confidence and create a stronger foundation for meaningful dialogue.
He urged NNPCL and its partners to immediately halt all oil-related activities in Ogoniland until an agreement acceptable to all parties is reached. According to him, proceeding without conclusion risks deepening divisions within the community.
To strengthen the process, Pyagbara also proposed the engagement of an independent facilitator. He said a neutral platform would give all parties fair opportunity to present their positions and help rebuild confidence in the talks.
The statement comes amid growing tension in Ogoni over reports of oil operations in parts of the area in recent weeks. Stakeholders say the development has raised questions about transparency and the integrity of the dialogue process.
