President Bola Tinubu is currently holding a closed-door meeting with Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, and leaders of Ogoniland from four Local Government Areas in Rivers State.
Governor Fubara and the Ogoni delegation arrived earlier at the Council Chamber of the State House, while the official vehicle of FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, was observed arriving at the Villa around 2:45 pm.
Fubara’s delegation includes notable figures such as Senators Lee Maeba, Magnus Abe, Olaka Nwogu, Victor Giadom, Kenneth Kobani, Monsignor Pius Kii, Ledum Mitee, Senators Bennett Birabi, Barry Mpigi, and Prof. B. Fakae, among others.
Also present at the meeting are National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, Chief of Staff to the President Femi Gbajabiamila, Minister of Information and National Orientation Idris Mohammed, Minister of Regional Development Abubakar Momoh, Minister of Environment Balarabe Abbas, and the Group CEO of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, Mele Kyari.
Although the meeting’s agenda has not been disclosed, it is speculated to focus on the Ogoni clean-up project and the possible resumption of oil exploration in Ogoniland.
The Federal Government has previously expressed concerns over the prolonged suspension of oil activities in the region.
Samuel Ogbuku, Managing Director and CEO of the Niger Delta Development Commission, recently highlighted the conflicts that halted oil operations in Ogoniland.
He emphasized the impact of the standoff on the nation’s economy, particularly amid the energy crisis following the removal of fuel subsidies.
Meanwhile, a coalition of civil society organizations has demanded $1 trillion from the Federal Government for the clean-up of the Niger Delta and compensation for the loss of livelihoods before crude oil production can resume in Ogoniland.
The coalition, comprising Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria, Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa, and the Health of Mother Earth Foundation, criticized the government’s reported plans to restart oil production.
They described the move as a disregard for environmental justice and referenced the 2011 UNEP report, which documented severe environmental damage in Ogoniland caused by oil activities, including widespread pollution of land, water, and air.
More updates to follow…