The Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People, MOSOP, said it is not in support of agitations for separation of the country but said it supports restructuring of the country.
The group said that fiscal federalism was the solution for the plethora of issues troubling the nation, calling on the government to deliberately work towards ensuring equitable distribution of development within the current arrangement.
MOSOP President, Legborsi Pyagbara, while speaking in Port Harcourt on Monday noted that the level of marginalization in the country was responsible for the serial agitations by different groups. He urged the government to address these pockets of obvious marginalization.
For instance, the group pointed to the deplorable condition of the East-West road as evidence that the Federal Government does not care about the welfare of the people of Rivers State.
The MOSOP leader said: “Several issues are currently buffeting the Nigeria-nation state and require immediate response for Nigeria to avoid our descent into anarchy and disintegration.
“MOSOP has been concerned about recent events in the country which have the ominous potential of triggering national disintegration if not speedily addressed.
“First is the issue of resurgent Biafra separatism and second, a counter Arewa intolerance expressed in the ultimatum to all Igbo to leave the North.
“MOSOP categorically and irrevocably rejects the two extremes, none of which will improve the miserable condition of the people who the antagonists are claiming to represent.
“Most countries of the world finding themselves in similar situations like us have had to look inwards and search for solutions that are adaptable to their environments and meets the needs of the various centrifugal forces that make up the country.
“For the Nigerian state to survive, it must be seen to demonstrate equity, justice and fairness by creating political space for the sub-national entities to develop at their own space, while ensuring protection for national minorities and Indigenous communities.
“The Ogoni Bill of Rights, which is the basis of the Ogoni struggle, emphasises local autonomy for the Ogoni people and other Nigerian communities that are threatened by internal colonialism.
“MOSOP totally condemns the neglect of East-West road, especially Akpajo Eleme axis, which, of course, is now impassable. This is condemnable and unacceptable.
“This level of neglect goes along to show why restructuring this nation is very important. We are holding Federal Government and Rivers State Government responsible for the condition of the road. It clearly shows that they do not care for our people.”
According to Pyagbara, the only workable solution to the Nigerian crisis is for the government to demonstrate a sense of justice where a particular section does not feel alienated from the rest.
