2027: Tinubu Meets With Fubara, Ogoni Leaders in Aso Rock

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is currently meeting with Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara and key leaders from Ogoniland at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

Governor Fubara, joined by Senator Lee Maeba, leads a distinguished delegation that includes Senators Magnus Abe, Olaka Nwogu, Bennett Birabi Barry, Mpigi, and Joe Poroma, alongside Chief Victor Giadom, Chief Kenneth Kobani, Monsignor Pius Kii, and Ledum Mitee.

Also in attendance are prominent government officials, including Mele Kyari, Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited; Balarabe Abba, Minister of Environment; Idris Mohammed, Minister of Information and National Orientation; Abubakar Momoh, Minister of Regional Development; and National Security Adviser Mallam Nuhu Ribadu.

While the agenda has not been officially disclosed, it is believed the discussions are focused on the Ogoni clean-up project and the potential resumption of oil exploration in the region.

The Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) has raised concerns about the meeting. Naija News earlier reported that MOSOP, through its three factional presidents—Prince Nuyete Biira, Fegalo Nsuke, and Engr. Olu Andah Wai-Ogosu—expressed disappointment at being excluded from the discussions.

In a joint statement, MOSOP labeled the meeting as “clandestine,” arguing that the lack of consultation risks undermining peace and reconciliation efforts in Ogoniland.

They warned that any decisions made without their involvement could deepen mistrust and hinder progress in resolving long-standing issues in the region.

The Ogoni clean-up project, a critical environmental remediation effort, has been a contentious topic, especially given its slow implementation since it was launched. The resumption of oil exploration in Ogoniland further adds complexity, as the region has faced significant environmental degradation and social unrest tied to past oil activities.

President Tinubu’s engagement with Ogoni leaders, however, signals an effort to address these challenges and foster development in the area. How the concerns raised by MOSOP are handled will be key in determining the success of these initiatives.