Reverred Ogoni monarch, Gbenemene Bangha Kingdom, His Majesty, King Suanu T.Y Baridam has pledged his support for the newly inaugurated leadership of the Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People (MOSOP).
King Baridam made the pledge when the new leadership of MOSOP led by its president, Prof. Olu Andah Wai-Ogosu, paid him a visit at his Port Harcourt residence, Saturday.
His Majesty noted that the emergence of Prof. Wai-Ogosu as president of MOSOP was a right step in the right direction for the Ogoni people.
King Baridam advised the new leadership to seek the frontiers of peace, reconcile aggrieved members and avoid statements capable of putting Ogoni in bad light.
He said: “I must say that if Ogoni people want to do the right thing, they should know that all other parts of Ogoni has served as president of MOSOP except Eleme and if the president now is coming from there, we should support him and so Prof, I will support you.
“I want to also urge you to go back and reconcile aggrieved members, especially affiliates, we must go together as a group and rectify every problem, let’s reduce the frontiers of wars so that we can achieve what is expected of us because Ogoni needs us.
“I want to also appeal to those of you who are executives of MOSOP to avoid statements that will put us in a bad shape with the present government,” he stated.
The royal father added: “I want to also advice Ogoni people not to abuse any of our leaders because of politics, don’t abuse the present governor, don’t abuse the past governor, they are leaders and if they have differences, I assure you that we are doing everything as traditional rulers to ensure that they are resolved.
“So on behalf of the Ogoni people, the Council of Ogoni Traditional Rulers, the Khana Traditional Rulers Council, we will support you, but you must please reach out to elites of Ogoni. I thank you for coming and like I have said, go back and rebuild the frontiers of MOSOP and avoid statements that will put us into problems, let us seek for peace at all times.”
Speaking earlier, the president of MOSOP, Prof. Olu Andah Wai-Ogosu, said he and his EXCO were in the King’s residence to familiarise with him and seek his collaboration in rebuilding Ogoni and taking it to the desirable heights.
