The Ogoni Youths Development Initiative (OYDI) has notified the Federal Government of its intention to stage a statewide protest against plans to resume oil operations in Ogoniland without the creation of Bori State.
In a statement signed by its Global President, Comrade Imeabe Saviour Oscar and made available to newsmen on Tuesday, OYDI said the protest would involve a total shutdown of any attempt to restart oil activities in the area.
The group said it is not opposed to economic progress or oil exploration, but insisted that justice must come first.
“The ground of Ogoniland is soaked in the blood of our heroes who died fighting for justice, equity, and the survival of our people. We cannot and will not allow their ultimate sacrifices to be in vain,” the statement read.
According to OYDI, the only outcome that can commensurate with the lives lost and the environmental devastation suffered in Ogoniland is the immediate creation of Bori State.
The group accused the Federal Government of insincerity and lack of transparency in the ongoing oil resumption process. It cited the laying of pipelines across Ogoniland while stakeholders’ dialogue is still ongoing as evidence of bad faith.
“This act proves that the current process is designed to exploit us once again and cause more chaos in our midst rather than ameliorate the years of suffering,” OYDI stated.
OYDI listed two key demands including:
the Immediate disbandment of the Ogoni Dialogue Committee (ODC), saying that it has lost confidence in the committee due to lack of transparency and poor inclusion of youths.
Also demanding the full adherence to the Ogoni Bill of Rights: Beginning with political autonomy through the creation of Bori State.
The youths warned the Federal Government and all joint-venture partners to halt all clandestine moves to force oil operations back into Ogoniland without addressing their core demand.
“In the coming days, OYDI will fully mobilize Ogoni youths across all kingdoms for massive, widespread protests. We will peacefully but firmly shut down any attempt to resume oil operations until Bori State is created and the fraudulent dialogue processes are dismantled,” the statement added.
It concluded: “We have chosen the path of justice for our fallen heroes. Create Bori State or leave our oil in the ground. That is our demand.”
By Ben Owen Asuk
