Kehinde Fajobi
President Bola Tinubu is holding a closed-door meeting with Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara and leaders from Ogoniland’s four Local Government Areas.
The discussions, taking place at the Council Chamber of the State House, are believed to revolve around the Ogoni clean-up project and the possible resumption of oil exploration in the region.
Fubara’s delegation includes notable figures such as Senators Lee Maeba, Magnus Abe, and Victor Giadom, as well as various government officials, including National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu and Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila.
The arrival of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike’s official vehicle around 2:45 pm raised speculation about his involvement in the talks, though his attendance has not been confirmed.
While the specifics of the meeting remain undisclosed, the ongoing concerns regarding the suspension of oil exploration in Ogoniland have been a source of tension.
Federal Government representatives, including the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, Samuel Ogbuku, have expressed concern about the impact of this hiatus on Nigeria’s economy and energy crisis.
A coalition of civil society organisations has called for $1 trillion in compensation and a clean-up fund before oil production resumes, citing the extensive environmental damage documented in the 2011 UNEP report.
The group has criticised the government’s reported plans to restart operations in Ogoniland, urging respect for environmental justice.