The leadership crisis in the Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People (MOSOP) has deepened, causing the body to split into five factions with presidents emerging in the different groups.
The body was founded in 1990 with the mandate to campaign non-violently to protect the environment of Ogoni and promote democratic awareness. The factional presidents spoke from different venues during this year’s Ogoni Day celebration, an event usually observed on January 4.
Consequently, the 27th Ogoni Day Celebration on Friday was largely disrupted following the divisions in the group.
Speaking from his part, the President of MOSOP, Leborsi Pyagbara, lamented the delay in the Ogoni cleanup, saying the planned resumption of oil exploration in the area has sparked up crisis in Ogoni.
Pygbara, who is still occupying the MOSOP office as president, spoke at the organisation’s office in Port Harcourt, instead of the event venue at Freedom Centre in Bori, in Khana Local Council of the state.
He regretted that he and other leaders of MOSOP could not attend the celebration because of alleged arms buried at the venue, adding that his refusal to appear at the celebration averted bloodbath.
Meanwhile, one of the factional presidents of MOSOP, Fegalo Nsuke, said his emergence as the president of the body would ensure development in communities of Ogoni. Nsuke called for unity among Ogoni people, adding that divisions would not help in their struggle.
”Our land is seriously threatened by the effects of Shell’s pollution of over 50 years. We must be united and tolerant of each other to save ourselves and our land.”
“From Eleme, to Tai, Ban-Ogoi, Gokana, Bori territory, Nyo-Khana,Babbe, Ken-Khana, let peace, unity and love reign. Let’s stand for and with each other. Let’s stand for a free, strong and united Ogoni,” Nsuke added.