The Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People, MOSOPO, has faulted the non-inclusion of Ogoni State in the recommendation of the National Conference Committee on Political Restructuring and Forms of Government.
The committee had proposed the creation of 18 states, including Orashi State to be carved out from the present Rivers State. The proposal was unanimously adopted by delegates.
In its reaction to the development, MOSOP described the omission of a Bori or Ogoni State as one of the continued injustices and marginalisation against the people of Ogoni.
The spokesman for the movement, Mr. Bari-ara Kpalap, who articulated the group’s position yesterday in a telephone interview, said the need for the creation of a Bori or an Ogoni State was the reason why the people of the area supported the Conference in the first place.
Kpalap recalled that the people of Ogoni had submitted their application to the National Assembly for an Ogoni State to be created from Rivers State, adding that the non-inclusion of such a state came as a surprise to MOSOP.
“One of the reasons why we welcomed the National Conference was because it was going to give us an opportunity to ask and get a Bori or an Ogoni State, which we have been clamouring for so many years ago.
“The non-inclusion of Ogoni State is one of the injustices and marginalisation against Ogoni people. It is a clear indication that the discrimination against the people of Ogoni by the Nigerian state has not ended”, he said.
