Deekor Calls For Open Ogoni Congress, Greater Transparency In Dialogue Process

A Coordinator of the Ogoni Grassroots Initiative for Good Governance, Eugene Deekor Nbooh, has called on Ogoni leaders and the Ogoni Dialogue Committee (ODC) to convene an open and inclusive Ogoni Congress to brief the people on the progress and direction of the ongoing dialogue process with the Federal Government.

Deekor made the call in an open letter addressed to the youths, women, men and leaders of Ogoniland, stressing the need for unity, transparency, responsible engagement and meaningful participation in decisions concerning the future of the area.

He urged Ogoni stakeholders to reflect on the history of the struggle in Ogoniland and learn from the circumstances that led to the loss of past leaders and the setbacks experienced by the people over the years.

According to him, the present generation must ask critical questions about the level of communication between leaders and youths in the past, the role played by young people in previous struggles, and how adequately informed and prepared the current generation is to participate in decisions affecting Ogoniland.

“These are not questions intended to reopen old wounds or create division. Rather, they are questions that should encourage us to reflect deeply and ensure that history does not repeat itself,” he said.

Deekor maintained that his appeal was not a call for confrontation or anarchy, but for dialogue, unity, transparency and responsible participation by the people in the Ogoni Dialogue process.

He argued that since members of the ODC were selected and nominated to represent the interests of the Ogoni people, the people deserved to know what was being discussed in their name, the progress made in the negotiations, commitments reached, outstanding issues and the possible implications of the process for the future of Ogoniland.

His call comes amid growing concerns among sections of Ogoni society over transparency in the ongoing dialogue on the proposed resumption of oil production in the area. KAGOTE and other Ogoni groups have recently raised questions about the management of the process and called for greater openness, while the ODC has maintained that its objective is to bring Ogoni back into the mainstream of national development and facilitate a strategic pathway for oil production.

Deekor specifically called for an “open and inclusive Ogoni Congress” involving Ogoni men, women, youths, traditional rulers, professionals, community representatives and other relevant stakeholders.

He said such a gathering would provide an opportunity for the ODC to give a comprehensive account of the dialogue process and enable the people to make informed contributions to decisions that could have far-reaching consequences for future generations.

“The people should not be spectators in matters that will determine the future of Ogoniland. The people must be informed. The people must be heard. The people must participate,” he stated.

He also urged Ogoni leaders to use the opportunity to clearly articulate the people's priorities and demands, particularly the longstanding agitation for the creation of Bori State.

The demand for Bori State has featured prominently in recent discussions on the future of Ogoniland, with Ogoni communities and groups previously identifying state creation, implementation of the Ogoni Bill of Rights, environmental restoration and community benefits as key issues in relation to any future oil activities.

Deekor further called for discussions to extend beyond immediate political or economic interests to issues including environmental restoration, education, infrastructure, security, economic opportunities and the welfare and dignity of the Ogoni people.

He appealed to the ODC, traditional institutions, youths, women, professionals and other stakeholders to prioritise dialogue over division, facts over rumours, unity over suspicion and transparency over secrecy.

He also urged Ogoni leaders to be cautious in their actions and decisions, warning against developments that could trigger the “ugly part” of the area's history.

“History has given us lessons. It is now our responsibility to learn from them,” he said.

Deekor concluded by urging the ODC to open its channels of communication with the people and build consensus through transparency and responsible dialogue.

“Ogoni belongs to all of us, and the future of Ogoniland must be built with the people, not merely in the name of the people,” he stated.