The Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) has risen stoutly to oppose the application of Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited for the renewal of its Oil Mining Licence in Ogoniland, urging President Muhammadu Buhari not to renew Shell’s license to operate the Ogoni oilfields as it expires in 2019.

A statement issued on Monday in Port Harcourt signed by the Publicity Secretary, Fegalo Nsuke, said: “We want to make it clear that the conduct of Shell in Ogoniland over the past 60 years had been genocidal, racist and seriously jeopardised the safety and survival of over 1million Ogoni people.

“We urge the Nigerian President to at least stand on the side of humanity and the suffering Ogoni masses whose lives have been rendered miserable by the operations of Shell in Ogoniland, polluting all drinking waters, destroying the Ecosystem and livelihoods.

“We call on President Muhamadu Buhari to show his disapproval of Shell's reckless and irresponsible business practices in Ogoni by not renewing the license of this massive polluter and sponsor of reckless military actions in Ogoniland.

“We urge President Buhari who supervises the petroleum ministry, to allow the Ogoni people recover from the shocks of Shell by not approving any oil mining license for the Ogoni oilfields,” the statement declared.