Former President of the Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People (MOSOP), Ledum Mitee, has opened up about the Ogoni struggle, emphasising justice, reconciliation, and the Ogoni Bill of Rights as central to Ogoni demands.
Mitee, in an interview with ARISE NEWS on Wednesday, addressed the Ogoni people’s ongoing fight for recognition, environmental restoration, and accountability, noting that the Bill of Rights continues to guide their pursuit of justice and equality within Nigeria.
Mitee reflected on the enduring impacts of environmental devastation in Ogoniland and on President Tinubu’s recent commitment to addressing these issues.
When asked about Tinubu’s pledge, Mitee expressed a cautious optimism rooted in the president’s background as an ally in past justice struggles. “Looking at his own pedigree as someone who has been in the struggle, shoulder to shoulder with us Ogoni people—I personally was in exile with him.
“We held meetings together because the NADECO struggle was also about justice. So with someone with that pedigree, you should believe him.”
Mitee also added, “It was not something done out of maybe people wanting to see, it came out from himself, so I think he deserves that we should believe him.”
Addressing whether the Ogoni Bill of Rights would be part of future discussions with the government, Mitee assured that Ogoni demands would always be grounded in this framework.
“The president pledged reconciliation. Clearly, in any conversation, the Ogoni would bring back whatever demands they might have made within the framework of the Ogoni Bill of Rights,” he said.
Mitee explained that the Ogoni Bill of Rights includes both “generic demands” and “specifics,” covering economic and environmental concerns, and a call for recognition of the Ogoni people within Nigerian institutions as a matter of right.
He underscored the depth of the Ogoni struggle, acknowledging both environmental destruction and the loss of many lives in the fight. “There are environmental devastations that have happened, there are people who lost lives.
“Meanwhile, it’s not just about the Ogoni nine, it’s about the struggle that includes the force of we, the Ogonis, and the realisation that the Ogoni thirteen, who were killed in the course of this struggle, as well as several others, were also victims of this fight.”
Turning to the topic of justice, Mitee defined it in simple terms: “Justice is something that once we see it, every person would recognise that justice has been done. Once you know that wrong has been done, as long as you see justice, you will know.”
Mitee also spoke about the need for justice to address not only past wrongs but also to restore Ogoniland’s environment and recognise Ogoni rights in Nigerian society as he said, “When you are talking about justice, how do you atone for all these things? How do you get the environment back in shape? How do we respect the rights? And then in the future, how do we build on all these things to make sure that at least something is done to show that the Ogonis, who opted for the non-violence option, can say that we got justice because of non-violence?”
Mitee observed that peaceful approaches often go unnoticed by the government until there is a crisis. “Clearly, most times when responses are made, it’s when maybe there is some violence and then the government panics and makes some concessions, which sends a message that that is to attract attention.”
Reflecting on his personal experiences during the Ogoni struggle, Mitee shared the hardships he endured, including a prolonged detention in deplorable conditions. “Talking about me as a person, I have had occasion, many times for the past 29 years, people asking me how did you live, and it’s a very difficult question for a human being.
Mitee’s account of his personal journey and the collective sacrifices of the Ogoni people underscores the high stakes of their peaceful struggle.
He concluded by highlighting the significance of the Ogoni people’s decision to pursue nonviolence, expressing hope that the government will finally respond with meaningful justice and reconciliation.
Boluwatife Enome
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