The Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People, MOSOP, has formally dissociated itself from a reported meeting with the Ooni of Ife, saying no such engagement was authorised or sanctioned by its leadership.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, MOSOP President, Mr. Fegalo Nsuke, said the organisation became aware of claims that some individuals, allegedly presenting themselves as MOSOP leaders, met with the traditional ruler, but stressed that the group had no knowledge of the meeting.
“MOSOP wishes to state unequivocally that its leadership is not aware of, nor did it authorise the said meeting with His Imperial Majesty, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II,” the statement said.
Nsuke emphasised that while MOSOP remains a mass-based movement open to all Ogoni people, its leadership structure has been clearly defined by law. He referenced a ruling of the Saakpenwa High Court delivered on February 27, 2025, which restrained certain individuals from parading themselves as leaders of the organisation.
According to the court order cited by MOSOP, Prince Biira, Mr. Lazarus Tamana, Mr. Letam Nkpoka and Mr. Legborsi Saro Pyagbara were barred from presenting themselves as President of MOSOP. The ruling also nullified any elections purportedly conducted in the name of MOSOP on January 20, 2024, or March 27, 2024, including the election that produced Olu Andah Wai-Ogosu.
In light of the controversy, MOSOP said it completely disowns the delegation involved in the alleged meeting and distances itself from any resolutions or decisions that may have been reached in Ile-Ife or elsewhere.
“MOSOP disowns the entire delegation and dissociates itself from whatever decisions reached at their meeting,” the statement declared.
The organisation reaffirmed its commitment to the ongoing dialogue process being coordinated by the Office of the National Security Adviser, led by Nuhu Ribadu.
According to MOSOP, the Ribadu-led engagement remains the recognised and legitimate channel for addressing long-standing issues affecting the Ogoni people, including environmental remediation, development, and conflict resolution.
MOSOP urged Ogoni communities to remain calm and to continue supporting the dialogue process, describing it as a rare opportunity to achieve meaningful and lasting solutions.
“The Ogoni public is encouraged to support the Ribadu-led dialogue with firm belief that it offers hope for substantial progress toward a permanent resolution of the Ogoni question,” the statement said.
The group further called on its members and supporters to stand by the recognised leadership of MOSOP as it continues what it described as the struggle for the development and liberation of the Ogoni nationality.
Here is the press statement in full:
The attention of the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) has been drawn to some purported meetings with the Ooni of Ife by some individuals claiming to represent the leadership of MOSOP. MOSOP wishes to state unequivocally that its leadership is not aware of, not did it authorize the said meeting with the Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty, Arole Oodua Olofin Adimula, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, CFR.
MOSOP will further state that while it remains a mass-based movement to which every Ogoni subscribe to its membership, the decision of the Saakpenwa High Court 27th February, 2025 is clear on its leadership wherein it stated as follows:
“That an order is hereby made restraining Prince Biira, Mr. Lazarus Tamana, Mr. Letam Nkpoka, and Mr. Legborsi Saro Pyagbara from presenting themselves and parading themselves as President of MOSOP.
“That an order is hereby made setting aside any election of MOSOP conducted by the 4th and 5th defendants in the name of MOSOP election on the 27th day of March 2024 or on the 20th day of January, 2024 be and is hereby nullified by the order of this court. For clarity, the election in question here is the purported election of Olu Andah Wai-Ogosu.
However, while MOSOP understands that there is no smoke without fire, MOSOP wants to further state as follows:
1. MOSOP disowns the entire delegation and dissociates itself from whatever decisions reached at their meeting in Ile Ife, or anywhere else.
2. MOSOP restates its commitment to the on-going dialogue being coordinated through the office of the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu.
MOSOP urges the Ogoni public to support the Ribadu-led dialogue process with firm belief that it is an opportunity to address critical issues affecting the Ogoni people with hopes of achieving substantial progress towards a permanent resolution of the conflicts.
MOSOP therefore advises the Ogoni people to remain calm and supportive of its leadership as we chart the path towards the development and liberation of the Ogoni nationality.
Signed:
Fegalo Nsuke
President, MOSOP
February 1, 2026
