Date Published: 12/06/09
MOSOP President's response to Romiti Amaechi arrest threat
The Governors' Forum can because of the larger implication of this important project. Every move that adds to security and peace in a part of Nigeria, even outside an oil producing region will be a step forward. A lot of blood has been spilled in Ogoniland and no more spilling of blood should be allowed in a project that should be the model for accountability. Goodluck Diigbo, MOSOP P
Dear Governor Rotimi C. Amaechi,
Harmony
I will like to meet with you to assure you that MOSOP under my leadership is exploring all avenues to help promote harmony between the Ogoni people and the local, state and federal governments, and even the business community. There is no need to abuse your potent power (security forces) by using them against me or any other innocent person. The world will be watching. For the avoidance of doubt, neither MOSOP as a an organization, nor I as the MOSOP President/Spokesman will stand against proper clean-up of the more than 300 oil devastated sites in Ogoniland.
Hostile Threat
On November 27, 2009 at a town hall in Bori you interfered in MOSOP affairs attempting to impose your old time friend Ledum Mitee to work with UNEP clean-up team on behalf of Ogoni. You went further to issue a hostile threat that you will arrest me for “preventing UNEP Ogoniland Clean-Up Project.” I read about the threat published by The Nation newspaper online. I learnt that a tabloid in Port Harcourt carried similar information. Ogonis did not think it was funny. The Ogoni people in July petitioned against Ledum Mitee and he is currently under investigation by EFCC for massive fraud committed in MOSOP during his 14 years in office as MOSOP point man. Funds sought from domestic and foreign sources – America and Europe inclusive. In April 2009, he lost his presidential bid 99% to 1% in a MOSOP general election. The court further restrained him from parading.
Ogonis Support Clean-Up
Just before your unfriendly utterances, I had organized more than 400,000 Ogonis on November 10, 2009 to peacefully mark the 14 th Anniversary of the hanging of the Ogoni Nine. I repeatedly urged all Ogoni people to support a proper clean-up. Each time I mentioned clean-up as a priority, the mammoth crowd responded with cheers and sounds like roaring thunderstorms. I repeated my remarks about the clean-up at five different centers: BMGS Playground, Ken Saro-Wiwa Peace and Freedom Center, Ogoni Solidarity Forum Hall, Bane (hometown of Saro-Wiwa) and Teyork, my ancestral birthplace and noticed equal positive support. Where is your point or evidence to suggest that I prevented a clean-up? The Ogoni people will not challenge your executive appointment, for instance, if you immediately appoint someone from Khana Local Government (Ogoni) as permanent secretary – the only area without a permanent secretary in your administration. I advocated the clean-up exercise in 1990 alongside Ken Saro-Wiwa.
Letter to United Nations
I want you to know that you misinterpreted my letter to the United Nations Secretary-General. The letter stated MOSOP’s resentment concerning the neglect of due process in the clean-up plan. Your conclusion seems to be based upon inaccurate understanding of the intent and purposes of due stakeholders’ involvement in a due process. Prior consent is serious precondition when a project obligates United Nations member states as implied by UNEP involvement. I believe that appropriate action by the UN can preempt possible conflict, implementation misunderstanding and abandonment of the project. I expect that UN intervention might also bring clean-up plan back on track. Do you have any reason to oppose the involvement of the Ogoni people in the project meant to benefit the Ogoni people? Where lays your fears?
Stakeholders’ Dialogue
We want stakeholders’ dialogue, which absence violates due process and erodes confidence. I have been involved in UN activities since 1993. My in-knowledge and experience acquired, either through inquiries or consultation run contrary to the secrecy surrounding this particular UNEP Ogoni Clean-Up Project. Where is the report on previous stakeholders meeting if at all, there was one? The reason MOSOP insists on due process is because MOSOP wants a proper clean-up conducted with grassroots participation, cooperation and partnership in order to ensure openness, transparency and accountability.
MOSOP – The Voice of Ogoni
I am very disappointed by your insensitive approach to prevent clean-up dialogue, thus undermining the relevant demand in the Ogoni Bill of Rights. More disturbing is your comment about the leadership of MOSOP, which suggests undue interference in MOSOP affairs. MOSOP is the voice of the Ogoni people. MOSOP was first known world-wide when environmentalist and human rights leader, Ken Saro-Wiwa was hanged by a military dictator in 1995. My present leadership in Ogoni is dictated by the vision of MOSOP. MOSOP was established by the entire Ogoni people to play the role of a cultural, nonpartisan, nonreligious apex organization of the Ogoni people. MOSOP has stood for rights and freedoms, and continues to protect the interest of Ogoni people all over the world. You seem to profoundly misunderstand my role as MOSOP President/Spokesman. In a true Federation, citizens of each ethnic nationality or group be it Ogoni or any other, even when politically powerless as the Ogoni, no matter its population or land mass, its state of deprivation; is entitled to a voice, equal liberty, equal treatment as any other ethnic nationality or group, no matter who is the governor, say of Rivers State, or president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Accountability
Victor Dike wrote recently that there are many unresolved problems in Nigeria, but the issue of the upsurge of corruption is troubling. And the damages it has done to the polity are astronomical. As you believe in accountability, let us work together and promote it in practice, especially for the sake of the environment- the first right. I include below, the highlights of actions which MOSOP is pursuing as contained in the letter to the United Nations Secretary General.
i) Recall Mr. Mike Cowing who has wrongly handled the implementation process of the Ogoni Clean-Up Project
ii) Direct that the implementation process, which has so far been carried out behind the scene with Nigerian politicians be reversed.
iii) Directly supervise immediate grassroots stakeholders meeting, which has so far been avoided as such consultative process can lead to easy access of the over 300 environmentally devastated sites.
iv) Involve the main Ogoni organization – MOSOP the only credible apex cultural Ogoni body that have mass followership in Ogoniland.
v) The United Nations should disapprove the probable plan to use the military or security forces that might cause unnecessary bloodshed and chaos over a project genuinely demanded by the Ogoni People.
vi) Without direct involvement of the stakeholders in the implementation process by way of consultation, what the UNEP Clean-Up in Ogoniland will bring about will remain uncertain and this might lead to unnecessary confrontation with UNEP team and the United Nations can intervene now to avoid screwing up the Ogoniland Clean-Up Project.
vii) The United Nations is alerted and should take into account this PIPE Early Warning Letter by acting appropriately to ensure continued oversight of UNEP Ogoniland Clean-Up Project.
Very truly yours,
Signed:
Goodluck Diigbo
MOSOP President/Spokesman
Cc:FYI - Action to Rescue UNEP Ogoniland Clean-Up Project
1) President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua
2) Vice President Goodluck Jonathan
3) Inspector-General of Police
4) DIGs, NPF
5) Commissioner of Police, Rivers State/AC, Bori
6) United Nations Secretary-General and UN system
7) Chairman, Ogoni – Shell Pres
8) American Ambassador, Nigeria
9) Department of State, United States of America
10) European Union/specific member states
11) United Nations Secretariat, UNPFII
12) NGOs Accredited to the United Nations
13) Anglo-Royal Dutch/Shell
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