The apex Ogoni cultural group, KAGOTE, has clarified that its August 18, 2026 media conference was not an attack on the integrity of the Ogoni Dialogue Committee. The group said it remains committed to the dialogue process and supports efforts towards peace and responsible resumption of oil production in Ogoniland.
In a statement, KAGOTE President, Lesi Maol, said the group is not opposed to President Bola Tinubu, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu or the dialogue committee. He explained that KAGOTE’s support for the process informed its call for greater transparency, inclusiveness and accountability. Maol also rejected claims that the group’s intervention was a sponsored campaign aimed at discrediting or undermining the dialogue.
KAGOTE requested clarification on the composition of the harmonisation committee, including who approved its membership, the selection criteria and whether the authority or name of the Office of the National Security Adviser was used. The group also sought explanations on reported oil-related activities in parts of Ogoniland, particularly Alesa-Eleme, to prevent misinformation and speculation.
On confidence-building projects and employment opportunities, KAGOTE called for details of government interventions, including project locations, implementation and monitoring arrangements. It also sought clarification on the reported employment of about 40 Ogoni youths, including the criteria used to select beneficiaries and their geographical spread.
The group further called for Ogoni Dialogue Committee members to have access to relevant reports, government responses and documents required to effectively represent their constituencies. KAGOTE welcomed reported progress on the demand for Bori State, saying such progress can coexist with legitimate questions about transparency, and reaffirmed its support for dialogue and responsible oil resumption anchored on environmental protection, fairness, accountability, security and sustainable economic benefits for Ogoni people.
