MOSOP refutes leadership crisis

The Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) has said that there is no leadership crisis rocking the organisation as had been reported in the media. “We would like to make it clear that the 2015 MOSOP elections have been concluded at all levels – from the chapters, to the kingdoms, affiliates and the national offices.

We are, indeed, shocked by some misguided and mischievous statements credited to one Legborsi Esaen claiming he chaired an electoral committee which saw the emergence of one “Chief Mike Nwidobie” as president of MOSOP, the group said.

It further stated that “Legborsi Esaen and his collaborators acted in extreme naivety. First, they erred even in the spelling of the names of the two contestants. For record purposes, the contestants to the MOSOP presidency for the 2015 elections were Legborsi Saro-Pyagbara and Chief Mike Lube-Nwidobie and not Legborsi Pyagbara and Chief Mike Nwidobie as Esaen claimed in his statement. The misrepresentation of the two contestants clearly depicts the fraud in Essaen’s intent and actions. Indeed, Legborsi Esaen and his collaborators are very confused.

“Secondly, Legborsi Esaen, as many of his collaborators may not know, is currently serving a suspension in MOSOP for gross misconduct and under no circumstance will MOSOP appoint a suspended officer to chair its electoral committee.”

The video of the elections conducted on December 30, 2015 under the chairmanship of Prince Biira at the Peace and Freedom Centre, Bori, it said would be made available to the public subsequently, adding that “We challenge Esaen to produce, at least, a still photograph of himself presiding over the MOSOP elections. Indeed, the actions of Legborsi Esaen and Mike Lube-Nwidobie represents the unfortunate and very ugly side of our story.

However, MOSOP said that it denounced the actions of Mike Lube-Nwidobie and Legborsi Esaen. It said that those who aspired to lead the Ogoni at the highest levels should not be symbols of a depreciated value system, adding that “We expect high standards of integrity from aspiring leaders especially within MOSOP and urge Chief Mike Lube-Nwidobie, Legborsi Esaen and their collaborators to retrace their steps and join in the progressive match towards a better Ogoni under the leadership of Mr. Saro-Pyagbara.