The Ogoni Central Indegenious Authority(OCIA) has re-echoed their stance against oil resumption in Ogoni land, saying the proposed plan by the Federal Government will not stand.
OCIA made its position known at the grand finale of a month-long environment awareness rally in Bori, Khana local Government Area of Rivers.
In a six-points resolution adopted by its executives, they warned local and international investors as well as finance institutions against funding or partnering government on planned petroleum resumption in Ogoniland.
They also threatened confrontation, reputational damage, and operational failure on any investor who fails to abide by the warning.
The resolution read in part ‘We, the People of Ogoni hereby, reject tokenism in all forms, universities, roads, or press statements that mask exploitation is deceptive.
”We declare the press statement issued by NNPC on Sept. 26, 2025, as misleading.
”No petroleum activity has resumed in Ogoniland and Ogoni people have not given consent either to the government nor any investor.
”We reaffirm our right to self-government and resource control, as enshrined in the Ogoni Bill of Rights and protected under international law, including UNDRIP.
Earlier, in his remark transmitted online, Dr Goodluck Diigbo, US based President of OCIA noted that the federal government was invoking the language of reconciliation while engaging in conduct that undermined its own laws.
He noted that the OCIA by its activities and programs in Ogoni land was enforcing the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), particularly the right to self-determination.
”Ogoni people have the right to self-determination, including autonomy over their political, economic, and social development
”We also have the right to maintain and strengthen out distinct political, legal, economic, social, and cultural institutions,” he said.
Recall that President Bola Tinubu, is pushing to resume petroleum activities in Ogoniland after over a 30 years suspension following issues of environmental damage.
Tinubu had also ordered immediate talks through the National Security Adviser with NNPC Ltd., Ogoni communities, and stakeholders with a view of building on 2022 operatorship transfer to NNPC.
While the government targets oil resumption, the OCIA is demanding full implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), transparency on $1B HYPREP funds.
For OCIA, there will be no oil resumption in the area until issues of environmental pollution is adequately addressed.
