The Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People has denied the raging speculation that the group is enmeshed in serious leadership crisis. A statement on Thursday by MOSOP’s Publicity Secretary, Mr. Fegalo Nsuke, disowned the emergence of Chief Mike Nwidobie as the new President of MOSOP.
The statement read in part: “MOSOP wishes to notify all stakeholders and interest groups that there is no leadership crises rocking the organisation as had been reported in the media. We make 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.”
It added, “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.”
MOSOP’s clarification went further: “Secondly, 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 Center, Bori will be made available to the public subsequently. We challenge Esaen to produce, at least, a still photograph of him presiding over the MOSOP elections.