Ogoni Leaders Sends Serious Warning To Tinubu
Ogoni Leaders Sends Serious Warning To Tinubu
In a powerful display of resolve, the Ogoni people of Nigeria’s South-South region have issued a stark warning to President Bola Tinubu: take immediate action to curb the influence of Nyesom Wike, or risk losing the region’s support in the 2027 elections. The message, delivered with unwavering conviction during a press conference on August 30, 2025, underscored the community’s deep frustration with what they perceive as Wike’s overreach into their struggle and the mismanagement of critical regional projects.
At the heart of the Ogoni leaders’ grievances is the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP), a vital initiative to address decades of environmental devastation in their oil-rich homeland. Flanked by youth groups and community representatives, the leaders accused Wike, the former Rivers State governor and a prominent political figure, of attempting to politicize HYPREP and install his allies on its governing board. “HYPREP is not a political tool,” they declared, emphasizing that the project represents the sacrifices of generations who have fought for justice and environmental restoration in Ogoni land.
The leaders spoke with raw emotion, referring to the region’s oil as “blood oil”—a poignant reminder of the lives lost and the suffering endured due to decades of exploitation. They warned that any attempt to manipulate HYPREP for political gain would be met with fierce resistance. “Our land is not conquered territory,” they asserted, vowing to protect their resources and ensure that those who benefit from Ogoni’s wealth do so with integrity.
The Ogoni leaders also accused influential elites of sponsoring anonymous groups to undermine the cleanup process, a move they described as an affront to their unity and determination. Their message to President Tinubu was unequivocal: failure to address Wike’s alleged interference will have electoral consequences. “If Wike is allowed to meddle in HYPREP or place his associates on its board, we will not only reject him but reconsider our support for the President in 2027,” they warned.
The press conference, charged with passion and defiance, served as a rallying cry for the Ogoni people. They reaffirmed their commitment to safeguarding their homeland, declaring that they would never be sidelined or enslaved while their oil wealth is exploited for political ends. As the 2027 elections loom, the Ogoni community’s ultimatum has added a new layer of urgency to the political dynamics in the South-South, placing President Tinubu at a critical juncture. The question now is whether he will heed their call—or face the consequences at the ballot box.
