President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has hosted a closed-door meeting with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, and Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, alongside a delegation of Ogoni leaders at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
The meeting, which brought together key stakeholders, appeared cordial, as photos shared by the Special Assistant to the President on Social Media, Olusegun Dada, captured Wike and Fubara smiling in a rare show of unity amid their ongoing political feud.
Dada shared the images on X with the caption, “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu meets with Governor Fubara, HM Nyesom Wike, and Ogoni leaders at the State House.”
Other high-ranking officials in attendance included the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila; National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu; Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL, Mele Kyari; and the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris.
The meeting came on the heels of heightened demands from a coalition of civil society organisations advocating the allocation of $1 trillion by the Federal Government for the cleanup of the Niger Delta.
They also requested compensation for livelihoods lost due to environmental degradation before the resumption of crude oil production in Ogoniland.
The gathering was also significant, given the prolonged rift between Governor Fubara and Wike, who were once close political allies.
Their smiles and apparent camaraderie at the event have raised speculation about possible reconciliation or collaboration in addressing Ogoni-related and state issues.
Although details of the discussions remain undisclosed, the presence of such high-profile figures underscores the Federal Government’s focus on fostering unity and addressing critical issues in the Niger Delta region.
Meanwhile, several concerned civil organizations are urging the Nigerian government to allocate $1 trillion for the cleanup of the Niger Delta and to compensate those who have lost their livelihoods.
The groups are also making additional demands that must be met before crude oil production can resume in Ogoniland.
A stakeholder, who requested anonymity, revealed that the private meeting held in Abuja focused on discussions about restarting oil production in Ogoniland. However, the groups strongly criticized any plans to resume oil operations without addressing the underlying challenges.
In a statement made available to BBC News Pidgin, the groups emphasized the need for the administration to hold a comprehensive stakeholder meeting in Ogoniland to discuss the community’s grievances and develop strategies to address poverty caused by pollution and loss of livelihoods.
“The livelihoods and health of the Ogoni people have suffered immensely, with no significant accountability from the oil industry or adequate redress from the government,” the statement
The groups warned that resuming oil production without resolving past injustices would further erode trust between the government, oil companies, and local communities.
Their demands include:
- Immediate and transparent implementation of the UNEP report.
- Accountability from oil companies, particularly Shell, for environmental damages and human rights violations.
- Official recognition of Ken Saro-Wiwa as an environmental hero.
- Transition to renewable energy to mitigate environmental harm.
- An end to military intimidation in the Niger Delta.
- Respect for the principle of Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) in all decisions involving Ogoniland.
- A complete halt to new oil drilling in the Niger Delta, coupled with the immediate and thorough cleanup of the region by the government and oil companies.