Below is the article published by The Nigerian Observer

Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People (MOSOP) has appealed to the people of Northern Nigeria including its delegates to the on-going National Conference, elders and governors to rescind its planned resistance to issues of state creation, resource ownership and control supported by the South.

President of MOSOP, Mr. Legborsi Saro Pyagbara who made the call in a press statement issued in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, explained that the call has become necessary in view of reported northern resolve to stand against any proposal concerning state creation, resource ownership and control that may be presented by any group at the meeting.

Pyagbara stated: “The expressed northern sentiments no doubt betrayed sinister motives, which in our view, may not augur well for the conference and north/south relationship. It is alarming that at crucial times in this country such as this, the north has been behaving as if other parts of the country are mere vassals that have no real legitimacy and rights and must subject to their whims and caprices.

“Our bitter experience has been that any time that the north wishes to get its way against the interests of other nationalities in Nigeria especially on the issue of resource ownership and control, it emphasizes that the present arrangement impoverishes the north and would vent its opposition with threats. It is painful to note that when groundnut was the mainstay of the economy, they controlled benefits that accrued there from and communities outside of their region especially those of the Niger Delta accepted it in good faith.”

“We would like to make it very clear that Ogoni participation in the conference is mainly to pursue its interest of state creation, resource ownership and control, and environmental remediation, restoration and protection without which we would have had no business with the conference. If the north did not oppose the creation of many states and local government councils in their region that are funded with oil and gas resources from the Niger Delta, it would only make sense that they rescind their reported questionable stance and support us.”

Pyagbara noted that the resort to masking behind international law, which provisions are undoubtedly at variance with her widely publicized position has already quaked and collapsed on arrival and since the provisions are unambiguous and well known, it would be ideal to retreat and make friends rather than acting otherwise.