HomeFeaturesTinubu Holds Private Talks With Wike, Fubara, Ogoni Leaders

Tinubu Holds Private Talks With Wike, Fubara, Ogoni Leaders

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President Bola Tinubu is presently holding a confidential meeting with Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State, alongside prominent leaders from Ogoniland, covering four Local Government Areas within the state.

Fubara and the Ogoni delegation had reached the Council Chamber of the State House ahead of time, but our correspondent observed that Nyesom Wike, the FCT Minister, made his entrance at the Villa at around 2:45 pm in his official vehicle.

Fubara’s entourage features an extensive list of influential figures, with Senators Lee Maeba, Magnus Abe, Olaka Nwogu, Victor Giadom, and Kenneth Kobani taking center stage, complemented by Monsignor Pius Kii, Leedom Mitee, Senators Bennett Birabi, Barry Mpigi, and Professor B. Fakae, among others.

Among those present at the event were key figures such as National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila, Minister of Information Idris Mohammed, Minister of Regional Development Abubakar Momoh, Minister of Environment Balarabe Abbas, and Mele Kyari, the Group CEO of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation.

Although the agenda of the meeting has not been disclosed, it is believed to be connected to the Ogoni clean-up project and the potential resumption of oil exploration in Ogoniland, Rivers State.

The Federal Government has previously raised concerns about the long suspension of oil exploration in Rivers State.

The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Niger Delta Development Commission, Samuel Ogbuku, has also expressed worry over the conflicts that halted oil exploration and exploitation by international oil companies in Ogoniland.

Read also: Rivers Crisis: Why I Won’t Settle Rift With Fubara – Wike

Ogbuku noted that the ongoing standoff, coupled with a growing energy crisis following the removal of oil subsidies by the Federal Government, has deprived the nation of significant contributions to its Gross Domestic Product over the years.

Meanwhile, a coalition of civil society organisations 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 demands were outlined in a statement by organisations including Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria, Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa, and the Health of Mother Earth Foundation, expressing concerns over the government’s reported plans to restart oil production in the community.

The group criticised the move, describing it as a disregard for environmental justice.

The statement also referenced the 2011 UNEP report, which documented extensive environmental degradation in Ogoniland caused by oil activities, including widespread pollution of land, water, and air.

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