January 16, 2009
‘
If we sow the seeds of violence in our struggle, unborn generation will reap the whirlwind of social disintegration.’’—Martin Luther King jnr.
Prior to 1999, when the fourth republic took off, the struggle for the emancipation of the people of Niger Delta was somewhat genuine and attracted sympathy from individuals, groups and nations across the globe. There was a general acceptance that the people in this part of Nigeria need serious attention from the Nigeria federation.
After the unfortunate incident of the murder of environmental rights activist Ken Saro-Wiwa and other Ogoni citizens, the international community rose in condemnation of the then federal government led by the late general Sani Abacha. As a result the country was ostracized by some international organizations including the famous Commonwealth of Nations.
However, in its usual style the military junta ignored all pleas and comments to take particular interest on issues in the region so as to assuage the feelings of the people as well as alleviate their sufferings. Worse still, even the multi-national oil companies operating in the area deliberately refused to play their part in the development of their host communities. So all these factors made sure the people licked their wounds and suffered in silence despite housing the treasures of the nation.
When the country returned to democratic rule in 1999, the states of the Niger Delta had some vibrant chief Executives, who resuscitated the fight for fair share for the people. They took their case to the presidency and at the end they got their federal allocations increased to 13%. Even though the northern oligarchy tried to frustrate the move, the Niger Delta governors had their way. With the increased federal allocation the people were hopeful that the situation in the region would change for the better. There was this general believe that if the governors judiciously utilized the resources at their disposal some noticeable changes would be effected. Just as the states government received fatter allocations so the local governments across the region.
Meanwhile, in a typical Nigeria situation where politics or holding elected office is an opportunity to get rich and richer, most of the local government chairmen and governors in the region failed to live upto the expectations of the people. This led to serious disaffection within the electorate. While the politicians continued to play politics with the resources, the oil companies also in their usual divide and rule system dined and wined with government and selected politicians. The situation became tensed during the 2003 elections such that after the election it was clear there were already different factions in the region. Along the different divides were; youths who were used and dumped by politicians in the election, also failed politicians, as well as oil bunkerers who collude with some government functionaries to carry-on with their nefarious activities.
In the light of all these politicking, resources meant for the development of the area were being wasted. This scenario resulted in suspicion among the interest groups which includes: states government, youths, oil companies, opinion leaders and resource control agitators. There were accusations and counter accusations, bothering on sellout and betrayal.
When the delegates from the region during the defunct national conference in
2004, pushed for 50% derivation or out right resource control, their counterparts from other parts of the country, particularly the north and west argued against it, on the grounds that the 13% derivation being given to the states in the region has not impacted on the people of the region. After the failed conference, some of the governors mobilized the youths to push the agitation further beyond conference level.
Unfortunately, the drama that accompanied further agitations for resource control, whether these governors were in the know, remains a matter of conjecture. When some youths masquerading as resource control agitators first abducted some white oil workers off Bayelsa coast, I remembered it was one of the governors who promised former president Obasanjo to negotiate for the release of the hostages. The governor successfully negotiated for their release. Incidentally, Nigerians nay the government hailed the governor and it was described as an achievement. Thus heralded a dirty and contaminated struggle for resource control.
As one of the former governors was quoted as rightly saying in a function when his cousin was kidnapped sometime ago, that ‘when this thing started we thought it was only against the whites, but we never knew it was going to turn out this way, we have shot ourselves in the foot.’’ This was clear affirmation of the saying that ‘had I know always comes last.’’ Today the region has been turned to battle field. Life is no longer safe. Father can no longer trust son and son ready to take father to the creeks for ransom. Since 2006, when the struggle took this dangerous dimension, many prominent citizens of the area have been traumatized, harassed and dehumanized for no just cause.
While it could be said that some of these groups are justifiably fighting a genuine cause, so many of these boys have proved not to be freedom fighters. Some of them are rather fighting to belong as well as line their pockets. Just recently Ledum Mitee the President of the Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People (MOSOP), condemned kidnapping as a form of agitation. Mittee was of the opinion that no amount of provocation or injustice will justify abducting innocent citizens. In this regard he sued for a reversal to intellectual struggle. In the same vein the vice president of National Youth Council of Nigeria Marvin Yobanna has said that the Ogoni youths have resolved to toe the line of intellectualism while pursuing justice.
Following public outcry over the federal government’s insensitivity on the issues in the Niger Delta, president Yar’Adua created the ministry of Niger Delta. The ministry has taken off despite pockets of controversies over the appointment of its headship. But despite this effort by the government all seem not yet too well with the region, particularly in this new year 2009. In Rivers State alone within this January, not less than three people have been kidnapped including a literary icon capt. Elechi Amadi. In Delta, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa and Edo states, cases of kidnapping have also been reported within the period under review. Apart from cases of kidnapping, there are also increased cases of vandalism of oil installations across the states of the region.
As a result the Joint Military Task Force in the Niger Delta have intensified onslaught against militants in the region. Recently the force came out to announce the killing of an alleged member of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), while he attempted to escape arrest. The slain suspected militant named Tubotamuno Angolia was said to be a commander in the MEND camp. The statement by the JTF claimed that following the killing the people were in jubilant mood.
But in a swift reaction, MEND denied that the dead militant belonged to their camp and vowed that they would break the cease fire it declared sometime ago. The group threatened to unleashed terror on soldiers across the region.
With the stage now set for another round of hostilities baring any last minute change of mind by MEND, it is obvious that attention of the world will soon again shift to the Niger Delta region of Nigeria.
Ezugwu Benson Whyte is a commentator on public affairs.
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