RESOLUTION OF THE CONFERENCE OF OGONI TRADITIONAL RULERS (COTRA) ISSUED AT THE END OF ITS MEETING HELD AT THE PEACE AND FREEDOM CENTRE, BORI-OGONI ON JANUARY 11, 2016
Ogoni traditional rulers under the auspices of the Conference of Ogoni Traditional Rulers (COTRA) met January 11, 2016 at the Peace and Freedom Centre, Bori-Ogoni. The meeting was organised to deliberate on issues relating to communal disturbances and other developments affecting the Ogoni people. It was attended by over eighty (80) traditional rulers including Royal Majesties, Highnesses and paramount rulers drawn from the six Kingdoms and two special areas making up the Ogoni nation.
At the end of the discussions, the meeting resolved as follows:
1. The meeting condemned and dissociated itself from the purported Gininwa administered swearing-in of one Mike Lube-Nwidobie as MOSOP president at his palace on January 11. And called on the Ogoni people and the general public to disregard the false Gininwa exercise.
2. It reaffirmed that Legborsi Saro Pyagbara won the MOSOP presidential election conducted on 30 December, 2015 at Bori. And that any claim to the contrary is spurious, misleading and aimed at creating trouble in Ogoni. It pledged her unalloyed loyalty to Mr. Pyagbara and as well declared the fake swearing-in as none and void.
3. The forum decried the mischievous approach of Gininwa in the matter, which not only insult and embarrass but also capable of creating division within the revered Ogoni traditional institution and warned him against dragging the institution into the dictates and murky waters of politicians and politics.
4. It averred that neither Gininwa nor his supreme council of Ogoni traditional rulers have any relationship with MOSOP as he is neither a member of MOSOP nor his platform affiliated to the organisation. And as such, has no right to perform the purported swearing-in.
5. The meeting decried the recent violent conflict that erupted between Kpong and Kor communities in which wanton destruction of properties was recorded. It thus entreated the conflicting communities to sheathe their swords and keep the peace while efforts are being made to find enduring solution to the conflict.
6. It thus resolved to, and set up an 8-member peace committee to amicably resolve the conflict. Members of the committee are follows:
1. Mene M.I. Wifa – Chairman (2)Mene Barisi Kpaama – Secretary (3) Mene Mbaaddee
(4) Mene Lebari Nwiineewa – Member (5) Mene Augustine Ikpe – Member (6) Mene Jimmy Ngbo, JP – Member (7) Emere George Osaro – Member
Signed:
HRH Mene Suanu T.Y. Baridam, JP
Chairman, COTRA
Mene Bua Bangha ii,
Kasimene Bangha vii
12 January, 2016
