Desmond Iwuchukwu
Stakeholders in Ogoniland said the issues raised by Ogoni martyrs had not been addressed 27th years after their killing by the General Sani Abacha regime.
The stakeholders made the call while celebrating the 27th anniversary of the Ogoni martyrs’ killing in different Rivers State events.
Former President of MOSOP Legborsi Pyagbara has called on the federal government to exonerate Ken Saro Wiwa and other Ogoni martyrs of all charges that led to their killing during the administration of Gen Sanni Abacha.
Legborsi Pyagbara, during an occasion to mark the 27th remembrance of Ogoni martyrs, said the event was put together to remind the federal government to right the wrongs committed against Ogoni heroes.
He further said the national healing and reconciliation process will not be complete until the Nigerian government clears the name of the Ogoni nine.
He also encouraged all Ogoni people to participate actively in the fourth coming elections.
The Executive Director of Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre, Fyneface Dunamene, says the key issues that led to the killing of Ogoni martyrs have not been addressed.
Fyneface Dunamene, while speaking to newsmen as part of activities marking the 27th anniversary of the Ogoni martyrs, said the Ogoni struggle hinges on three issues: Environmental degradation, Economic Strangulation, and Political Marginalization.
He said the only issue that has gotten the government’s attention is Environmental degradation.
The Executive Director of Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre, Fyneface Dunamene, also admitted that the division in MOSOP is setting back the Ogoni struggle.
Meanwhile, the Deputy Governorship Candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Rivers State, Dr Innocent Barikor, has saluted the courage and tenacity of Ogoni martyrs and other compatriots who have continued to carry the torch that made the sacrifice of Ogoni heroes alive.
The Deputy Governorship Candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Rivers State Dr Innocent Barikor in a statement to commemorate the 27th Anniversary of the Ogoni Martyrs, called for sustained devotion and contributions to the Ogoni struggle.
Dr Innocent Barikor, in the statement, said he believed that the Ogoni Bill of Rights could be achieved with proper strategy and peaceful agitations.
The statement further charged the Ogoni people to build on the successes of the struggle and make the right choices in tackling the challenges facing Ogoniland as a people.
The statement also reminds the Ogoni people that peace, unity of purpose, justice and equity, dedication, and sacrifice are the establishing principles of the struggle, and they believed that the sacrifices of Ogoni heroes would never be in vain.
