Lazarus Tamana, a native of Bodo in Gokana Local Government Area of Rivers State has been elected President Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People (MOSOP).
Tamana emerged unopposed after another contestant, Engr. Nwinka Kpelo stepped down for him on account of a passionate pre-election speech he made on the Ogoni struggle which elicited pathos.
Engr. Kpelo said Tamara’s vision for Ogoni People corresponded with his own stressing that he would join hands with him to strengthen the Ogoni struggle. He said he would move to the US to take charge of the MOSOP there and revive it .
The election which has three delegates each from the MOSOP electoral college, particularly the main stream of Nyo-khana Kingdom, Babe, Ken-khana, Gokana, Tai, Eleme as well as Oyigbo special area , Ban-Ogoni and Bori National Territory also produced Chief Amb. Nworlu Sunday Nwigoh as Deputy President, Nwibeke Alfred Wilfred as General secretary, Barinordum Ke-eeh as financial secretary and Chief Elvis Betezinee as Treasurer.
Others elected are ;Aluzim Emmanuel Spirit- PRO,Gbaranen Kanyone-Assistant General Secretary, N. Tsaana Kaa Esq-Legal Adviser, Chief Solomon Ndigbara-Chief Security Officer and Solomon Lah (Dr)- Grand patron.
Speaking after his victory, the President Lazarus Tamana who was a former MOSOP UK President said he would restore MOSOP to its original mission of fighting for the rights of Ogoni people as it was in the early days of its inception. He said the Ogoni people were yearning to take back their position as the leading light in the Campaign for the Human Rights violations and environmental destruction of the Niger Delta.
According to him, having been involved with MOSOP activities since 1991,coupled with the fact that he ran a successful international MOSOP campaign in Europe for the Ogoni people, restoration of MOSOP to make it accountable and responsible to the Ogoni people would be his least problems.
The highly articulate President who is also a passionate Ogoni activist said his administration would without delay relocate the headquarters of MOSOP to Peace and Freedom Centre Bori, the traditional headquarters of Ogoni land.
Tamana said he would promote Ogoni culture, tradition and language through international art exhibitions.
His administration, he said would also set up MOSOP Desk Offices where designated Desk Officers will deal with issues of Environment, Health , Human Rights, Legal as well as peace and conflict resolution.
He said the Ogoni Bill of Rights would be reviewed and re-presented to the Federal Government to press home the Ogoni Demands.
On the Ogoni clean-up, the new MOSOP President said the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP)must follow all the recommendations of UNEP on Ogoni as published in August 2011
Lazarus Tamana reiterated the Ogoni people’s resolve not to allow SHELL to operate in Ogoniland saying the company remains a persona non grata.
He disclosed that a-two-day conference of all Ogoni people would be held in Bori before the end of 2021 to review the MOSOP struggle and adjust in line with current realities on ground.
Nwibeke Alfred Wilfred, General Secretary MOSOP said the past MOSOP leadership did not keep any documentations, stressing that as the new General Secretary he will make sure that MOSOP activities were documented and kept intact.
The Eleco chairman, FR. Chief Taaoi Emmanuel Gokana said the election was crisis-free stressing it was done according to MOSOP rules where delegates were chosen from the MOSOP kingdoms and it’s affiliates.
The new officers were sworn-in immediately after the election.
