Port Harcourt, Sept. 8, 2026- The Ogoni Youths Development Initiative (OYDI) has on Tuesday issued a statement notifying President Bola Tinubu and his cabinate of its planned statewide protest against oil resumption in Ogoniland.
In a letter dated Sept. 8, 2026 directed to President Bola Tinubu, Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, Gov. Siminalaye Fubara and others, the group cited the faliure of the federal government to create Bori State before embacking on oil resumption in Ogoniland as basis for its protest.
The letter read in part; we write to make our position clear regarding the clandestine and insincere moves to resume oil exploration in Ogoniland.
Let it be known that we are not fundamentally opposed to economic progress or oil exploration in our land, however, Ogoniland is soaked in the blood of our heroes who died fighting for justice, equity, and the survival of our people.
We cannot, and will not, allow their ultimate sacrifices to be in vain, hence, at this stage of our struggle, the only outcome that could truly commensurate for the lives lost and the environmental devastation suffered is the immediate creation of Bori State.
If the federal Government could not grant this simple request for the Ogoni people by creating Bori State, then it should as well abolish all plans geared towards oil resumption in Ogoniland.
We want to also categorically state, that we have completely lost faith in federal government’s approach due to a total lack of transparency in the oil resumption process.
For instance, the ongoing laying of pipelines across Ogoniland even when stakeholders had yet to conclude discussions on smooth takeoff of oil operation is an act that undermines our people.
It is also a proof that the process had beem designed to exploit us once again and cause more chaos in our midst rather than ameliorate the years of suffering.
Consequently, OYDI demands the following:
The immediate disbandment of the Ogoni Dialogue Committee (ODC): We, the youths, have completely lost confidence in this committee.
Its operations lacked transparency and inclusivity especially considering the fact that our youth population had not been equitably represented.
Adherence to the Ogoni Bill of Rights: The federal government should respect the foundational terms of our struggle as outlined in the Ogoni Bill of Rights, beginning with the political autonomy that only the creation of Bori State could guarantee,”.
