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Wilson Macaulay
The Coalition of Niger Delta Civil Society Organisations (CNDCSOs) has suspended its proposed peaceful protest earlier scheduled for September 1, 2026, across the Niger Delta, following interventions by prominent stakeholders, respected leaders and other concerned Nigerians.
The planned protest was aimed at drawing public attention to allegations surrounding the manner in which certain oil blocks were allegedly awarded, including reports concerning beneficiaries purportedly having personal relationships or connections with the leadership of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).
The allegations had centred, among other issues, on the Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of the NNPCL, Engr. Barshi Bayo Ojulari , and alleged dealings involving his wife.
However, in a statement signed by the Secretary-General of the CNDCSOs, Comrade Awipi Lawson, the coalition said it had decided to put the planned demonstration on hold after receiving appeals from prominent stakeholders and concerned individuals to exercise restraint and allow further consultations and constructive engagement.
The coalition stressed that the decision to suspend the protest did not amount to abandoning the concerns that prompted the planned action.
According to the statement, the temporary suspension was intended to provide an opportunity for ongoing consultations and engagements with relevant stakeholders to take their full course.
“This decision demonstrates the Coalition’s commitment to peace, dialogue, and respect for the intervention of well-meaning stakeholders,” the statement said.
The CNDCSOs maintained that peaceful engagement and constructive dialogue remained important instruments for addressing issues of public interest, particularly matters relating to the management of Nigeria’s petroleum resources.
Concerns Remain
While putting the September 1 protest on hold, the coalition said it would continue to monitor developments and engage relevant stakeholders on issues bordering on transparency, accountability, fairness and protection of the collective interests of the Niger Delta people.
It also made clear that the suspension was temporary and that the coalition reserves the right to announce a new date for the proposed protest should the outcome of ongoing consultations make such action necessary.
The development is expected to provide room for further dialogue between the civil society organisations, government representatives, industry stakeholders and other parties connected to the concerns being raised.
The coalition urged its members, supporters, civil society partners and the general public to remain calm, peaceful and law-abiding while the consultations continue.
It reiterated its commitment to promoting justice, transparency, accountability and good governance in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, while insisting that the interests of the Niger Delta people must be adequately protected.
The CNDCSOs further stressed that its decision to suspend the proposed protest should be viewed as an act of restraint in the interest of peace and dialogue, rather than a withdrawal of its concerns over the management and allocation of the nation’s petroleum assets.
The coalition said it would communicate further developments to the public as the consultations progress.
