Skip to main content

Ken Saro- Wiwa: Why Tony Anenih Should Apologise To Ogonis/Niger Delta?

January 7, 2011

The recent warning by the Movement for Non-Violent Agitation in the Niger Delta that politicians in the region should be weary of Chief Tony Anenih in the ongoing political calculation as he has a track record of serial betrayals of the interests of the Niger Delta is generating so much controversy not only in the region but within the hierarchy of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The recent warning by the Movement for Non-Violent Agitation in the Niger Delta that politicians in the region should be weary of Chief Tony Anenih in the ongoing political calculation as he has a track record of serial betrayals of the interests of the Niger Delta is generating so much controversy not only in the region but within the hierarchy of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

As widely reported in the media, the group in a statement in Port Harcourt signed by the general secretary, Dr Lebari Dekor, described Anenih as an “unreliable elder statesman going by his antecedents.”

According to the group, “this same Anenih was part of the conspiracy that killed the Ogoni nine including Ken Saro Wiwa. He is a serial traitor and unstable character especially on issues that concern the genuine aspiration of the region on resource control and other socio-political issues.

“Against the atmosphere of condemnation and mourning that prevailed across the Niger Delta with the killing of the Ogoni leaders, Anenih stooped so low to justify the hanging of the late Ogoni activist, Ken Saro-Wiwa and eight others when he granted an interview to the BBC in 1997 during the Commonwealth Summit in Scotland.

“Mr. Anenih, who described himself as an observer during the BBC interview because Nigeria was under suspension at the time, maintained that, the Ogoni activists were duly convicted by the Abacha government.”

According to the group, “before Anenih can come out to claim he loves the Niger Delta and cares for its interest, the Ishian chief should first of all apologise to the families of the slain Ogoni-9 and the entire people of Ogoni and the Niger Delta. If not, whatever he thinks he is doing may be viewed with suspicion because it may turn out to be another scheme in his antecedents of working against the interests of the Ogonis and Ijaws of the Niger Delta.”

Ordinarily, the warning from this group which obviously has Ogonis and other non-Ijaw peoples of the Niger Delta would have been taken as one of those loose talks in election season but for the sensitive issue of the killing of Ken Saro Wiwa, a case that is very dear to the hearts of the people of the region.

And even in our recent history, this same Anenih deceived Peter Odili on the South-South Presidency. He abandoned Odili and switched to the late President, Umaru Yar’adua after he criminally milked the then Rivers state governor of huge resources of state.

It is not surprising that Chief Anenih can cooperate with Obasanjo his sworn enemy, to work on a common candidate? There obviously something not very open on Anenih’s new scheme. Supposing Jonathan wins the 2011 elections, Nigerians will be in deep shit as the duo of Obasanjo and Anenih of course with Edwin Clarke would then start their own contest of who controls Jonathan. The drama would interesting to watch.

This same Anenih it would be recalled abandoned the late Chief MKO Abiola to his fate after late General Sani Abacha took over in November 1993. As the Chairman of the defunct Social Democratic Party (SDP) on which platform Abiola contested the election, he (Anenih) chickened out rather than fighting like a man to defend Abiola’s mandate.

He was an opportunist who fixed an appointment for himself with the late Abacha military regime while Abiola was languishing in jail. And while serving the Abacha administration, he became a major political consultant for the actualization of the General Abacha’s self-succession agenda.

The same Anenih was the brain behind the failed bid for life presidency
by former President Obasanjo.

The group said, the people of the region should watch the former works minister as his recent “No Vacancy” in Aso Rock was very much in line with the same battle cry Anenih used to win favour with the late Gen. Sani Abacha, former President Obasanjo and now he is trying to apply it to deceive Dr. Goodluck Jonathan and the greater interests of the region.

It is actually surprising how Anenih who has no political space in his home state, Edo State because of his widespread unpopularity, can now promise the Presidency to the region.

SENIOR FYNEFACE, ELELEWON STREET, GRA II, PORT HARCOURT ([email protected])

 

googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('content1'); });

googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('comments'); });

googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('content2'); });