Ogoni Dialogue Committee, ODC, has declared that it would not sign any Memorandum of Understanding, MOU, with the Federal Government until credible and authentic congresses have been conducted across the four Ogoni local government areas that make up Ogoni ethnic nationality.
This was as members of the ODC have reaffirmed their commitment to unity, broad-based consultations and a transparent engagement process for the planned resumption of oil business in their area.
The committee disclosed this position after a meeting attended by 35 members of the body in Port Harcourt, where it reviewed progress on the proposed MOU, ongoing consultations and efforts towards resolving the Ogoni crisis and facilitating the resumption of oil exploration in Ogoniland. 
Speaking after the meeting, a member of the Committee, who is an erstwhile Vice-Chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt, Prof. Ndowa Lale, said the committee had reached critical resolutions which would guide its next steps in the dialogue process.
The GbeneMene of Tai and Paramount Ruler of Kpite Tai, His Royal Majesty, King Samuel Nnee, who is also Convener and Coordinator of the Supreme Council of Traditional Rulers of Ogoni, called for unity within the committee.
Nnee stressed the need for members to work together in the collective interest of Ogoniland, commending, President Bola Tinubu for his commitment to resolving the Ogoni crisis and facilitating the resumption of oil exploration in the area.
The royal father acknowledged the efforts of the Office of the National Security Adviser, ONSA, particularly the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Mr. Oluwatosin Ajayi, and their respective teams.
Nnee said the process has been painstaking and, at times, difficult, but that the committee would remain hopeful that sustained patience and cooperation would produce the desired outcome.
However, Judicial Vicar of the Catholic Diocese of Port Harcourt and Senior Lecturer at Rivers State University, Rev. Monsingyor. Dr. Pius Kii, disclosed that the committee had resolved to support the Federal Government’s efforts to resume oil exploration in Ogoniland for the benefit of Nigeria and the Ogoni people.
Kii said the committee also agreed to conclude the harmonisation of the proposed MOU in line with resolutions reached at its previous meeting.
He explained that the chairmen of the four Ogoni local government councils, who were mandated to engage and sensitise their people ahead of the proposed congresses, had reported significant progress.
He said the council chairmen were expected to complete the assignment within the timeline established by the ODC, adding that the harmonised MOU would be presented to the various local government congresses once the process was concluded.
Also, Prof. Innocent Barikor, a member of the Committee, who spoke further, appealed to the Federal Government to urgently resume work on the abandoned projects, particularly the Eleme section of the East-West Road.
He maintained that the implementation of confidence-building measures was essential to restoring public trust and demonstrating the Federal Government’s commitment to the engagement process.
Barikor stressed that such projects should deliver tangible benefits capable of reassuring the Ogoni people of the sincerity of the ongoing dialogue.
Meanwhile, Oneh E’Eleme the 11th and King of Eleme Land, His Royal Majesty, King Dr. Philip Osaro Obele, reiterated the committee’s determination to remain united and ensure that the interests of all Ogoni communities were adequately represented in the proposed agreement.
He assured members and the Ogoni people that the committee would pursue sincere consultations towards producing an MOU that would serve the collective interests of the people.
