Ogoni leaders write Tinubu over alleged moves by Wike to sabotage peace dialogue
Leaders and people of Ogoniland have petitioned President Bola Tinubu, urging him to rein in Nyesom Wike, minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), over alleged attempts to frustrate the ongoing dialogue aimed at resolving the decades-long Ogoni crisis.
The petition was submitted under the auspices of the Conscience of Ogoni People (COOP), formerly known as Ken Saro-Wiwa Associates, a group of Ogoni leaders and professionals advocating peace, justice, and stability in the area.
In a statement issued on Sunday and signed by its leader and spokesperson, Gani Topba, COOP expressed strong support for the federal government–Ogoni dialogue and peace process being facilitated by Nuhu Ribadu, national security adviser (NSA).
The group, however, accused Wike of engaging in what it described as calculated efforts to undermine the dialogue, alleging that the actions date back to his tenure as governor of Rivers state.
COOP linked the alleged interference to a long-running compensation dispute involving the Ejama Ebubu community and the Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC) over environmental degradation claims, which the community won through litigation.
According to the group, the Rivers state government under Wike became deeply involved in the dispute, which has remained controversial in public discourse.
The group further cited developments during Ribadu’s recent visit to Ogoniland, alleging that political associates of the FCT minister were directed to boycott and undermine the engagement with communities.
COOP also claimed that armed youths were allegedly recruited from different parts of Rivers state and camped around the Rivers state house of assembly quarters, warning that such actions pose a serious threat to public peace and security.
The group alleged that Wike is unhappy with Siminalayi Fubara, governor of Rivers, for cooperating with the NSA to ensure the success of the dialogue process.
“Our information is that after the NSA left Rivers state, the minister directed chairmen of the local government areas in Ogoniland, Eleme, Tai, Gokana and Khana, to recruit armed youths to cause security breaches and frustrate the dialogue and eventual resumption of oil operations,” the statement reads.
COOP warned that if unchecked, the alleged actions could derail the fragile peace process, trigger violence, and undermine efforts to resume oil production in Ogoniland.
The group said the current dialogue has been widely welcomed by Ogoni people as the most sincere and inclusive effort so far, with prospects for lasting peace, environmental remediation, economic reintegration, and the safe resumption of oil production in OML II.
COOP appealed to Tinubu to protect the dialogue process, direct security agencies to investigate the allegations, and prevent actions capable of destabilising Rivers state.
“Ogoni people are tired of conflict, manipulation, and being used as pawns in political and economic struggles,” the group said.
It expressed confidence that presidential intervention would safeguard peace and reaffirm the federal government’s commitment to justice, national unity, and economic recovery.
