The Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) has urged President-elect, Muhammadu Buhari, and the All Progressives Congress (APC) to commence articulation of plans and strategies of actualising the masses’ dream of better life for all.
The Media/Public Affairs Adviser to the MOSOP president, Mr. Bari-Ara Kpalap, said Ogoni would like to appeal to Buhari and his political party, to, besides concretising its electoral promises for a better Nigeria, to also consider the implementation of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) environmental report on Ogoniland, which General Buhari had promised to give a top priority.
Kpalap observed that the non-implementation of the document has continued to compromise the survival of Ogoni people as they keep suffering from food, insecurity, health challenges, unabated deaths and related problems attributable to hydrocarbon pollution in the area.
According to him, the people believe that a timely and proper implementation of the report would no doubt address these challenges. “However, we would advise the president-elect to realise that his electoral success is victory for democracy and the Nigerian masses who defied all odds to ensure his emergence.
The victor must therefore respond positively by translating the trumpeted commitment to change into reality. Recognising the fact that expectation of the citizenry relating to the new dawn is very high, we call on the president-elect and the All Progressives Congress (APC) to cut short their basking in the euphoria of polling success and commence articulating plans and strategies of actualising the masses’ dream of better life for all,” he said.
MOSOP lauded General Buhari and the APC for clinching victory at last Saturday’s presidential election. It also commended Nigerians for the adjudged peaceful national polls, which, although imperfect, ended successfully.
Kpalap called on INEC to emplace transparency in its organisation and management of elections, especially in Rivers State, adding that MOSOP was not too pleased with the conduct of the March 28 Presidential and National Assembly in the state, particularly Ogoni.
“We would therefore advise a transparent and accountable approach, reflecting neutrality and fairness if upcoming polls would be seen and accepted as free, fair and credible,” he said.
MOSOP also hailed President Goodluck Jonathan, whose outstanding approach and response to the outcome of the presidential poll convincingly demonstrated political civility and statesmanship, which has deservingly earned him global recognition and respect.
The simple and unambiguous message clothing the president’s reaction, MOSOP noted, is that the do-or-die tendency of Nigerian politicians was unfashionable. MOSOP, therefore, called on politicians in the country to emulate the out-going president and reform their attitude and approach to electoral competition.
