By Suleiman Ibrahim .
President Bola Tinubu is currently holding a closed-door meeting with Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara and leaders from Ogoniland, representing four local government areas in Rivers State.
The meeting, taking place at the Council Chamber of the State House, began after Governor Fubara and the Ogoni delegation arrived. Notably, the official vehicle of the Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, was seen arriving at the Villa around 2:45 PM.
Fubara’s delegation includes prominent figures such as Senators Lee Maeba, Magnus Abe, Olaka Nwogu, Victor Giadom, Kenneth Kobani, Monsignor Pius Kii, Leedom Mitee, Senators Bennett Birabi, Barry Mpigi, and Prof. B. Fakae, among others. Key government officials in attendance include National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, Chief of Staff to the President Femi Gbajabiamila, Minister of Information and National Orientation Idris Mohammed, Minister of Regional Development Abubakar Momoh, Minister of Environment Balarabe Abbas, and Mele Kyari, Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited.
While the specific agenda of the meeting has not been disclosed, it is widely believed to be focused on the Ogoni clean-up project and the potential resumption of oil exploration in Ogoniland. The Federal Government has previously expressed concerns regarding the prolonged suspension of oil exploration activities in Rivers State.
Samuel Ogbuku, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Niger Delta Development Commission, has voiced concerns about the conflicts that have hindered oil exploration by international companies in Ogoniland. He highlighted that the ongoing standoff, coupled with a growing energy crisis following the removal of oil subsidies, has significantly deprived the nation of potential contributions to its Gross Domestic Product.
