PRESIDENT BUHARI AND THE NIGER DELTA QUESTION

The Niger Delta belongs to the South-South geopolitical zone, among the six zones in the country (not constitutionally recognized), which include the South West, South East, North West, North East and North Central. In specific terms, the South-South geopolitical zone of Nigeria comprises Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo and Rivers states. The Region has over 40 billion of proven hydro-carbon reserves, being the reason for its importance to international actors in quest of cheap source of energy and a parasitic local ruling class dependent solely on revenue accruing from the oil.

As is well-known, Nigeria relies on earnings from oil as Oil accounts for 85 per cent of the Nations GDP. As far back as 1966 Former Head of State Gen. Yakubu Gowon (Rtd) was convinced that “There was no basis for Nigeria’s unity” and many analyst believed then that he was convinced by the British Government to “Go On With One Nigeria” True or False, events that followed the Civil War had shown most of the younger generation that Gen. Gowon was right. The popular conviction that ours is a forced Union had remained a Burden till date. It’s an unavoidable burden President Buhari must bear.

Is Oil the basis of Nigeria’s shaky existence as a Nation? Does Oil revenue account for about 85 per cent of the Nation’s GDP? Is Oil found in the Niger Delta Region? These are not questions but posers to refresh our minds and awaken our conscience to the dilemma that confronts us as a People and as a Nation. How long will the Niger Delta be the Proverbial Goose that lays the Golden eggs, but gets in return; Neglect, Pollution, and Environmental Degradation with its attendant hazards for its Natural Endowment.

Timi Alaibe (he needs no introduction) in a Message to President Mohammadu Buhari – Titled: Bringing Development to the Niger Delta Requires Commitment, which was widely published raised some posers for sober reflection, he said “the socio-political and structural aspects of the Niger Delta struggle, as valid and justifiable as they are, have the potential to be more emotive and may require more deliberate and delicate handling, possibly over a fairly longer term. To compound this, there is the unfolding reflection particularly amongst Niger delta folks 1) on the one hand, whether or not the immediate past administration headed by one of our own maximized the available opportunity to actualize the goals of the Niger Delta Struggle, and 2) on the other hand, whether or not the Niger delta people and especially the region’s elite and activist made an earnest, collective and conscientious effort to get the last administration to so maximize the opportunity. This reflection, described so subtly, may continue for quite a while and take on a variety of turns. It may trigger various perceptions and misconceptions as to whether or not the answers to the two co-questions above raise any estoppels, however temporarily, on the issues and advancement of the Niger Delta struggle, more so the deeper and underlying politico-structural dimensions.”

Indeed the twin questions raise impediments, but first I will like to appeal that we no longer see the Niger Delta quest for Justice and Equity as a struggle. A little digression here, please stay with me. A wise man once said whatever you focus in you give power to it, the late Mother Teresa was quoted to have said “I will never attend an anti-war rally; if you have a Peace rally, invite me.” Her reason, Anti-war focuses on war, why not focus on Peace. As long as we maintain it’s a struggle, it will remain so. Can’t we see it as a Question that needs an answer? Pardon the digression.

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo is quoted to have said that the “Niger delta will suffer for Jonathan’s actions in office” we all know his open opposition to former President Jonathan and his support for President Buhari and it is generally believed he has his ears of the President. More impediments, the goodwill the region hitherto enjoys from others regions and Nigerians with Conscience is dwindling, when you raise the Niger Delta question, the first response you get is What did you people do when your son was there for almost six years and some are even quick to point to the fact that the only visible project in the region – The East-West road – was not completed under GEJ. There is also the question of mismanagement on the part of Governors of the region that had been receiving huge sums from the Federation Account as 13% Derivation.

It’s on record that successive administrations had never been sincere in tackling the Niger Delta question and that is why we had seen it as a struggle as all intervention moves by the Federal Government had been in response to one agitation or the other from the Willink’s Commission to the Amnesty Program. The Federal Government Continue to operate in the pattern of the British “Divide and Rule Policy” they elevate a few to the detriment of the Majority and those fortunate to have been picked, rejoice at the prospect of exiting the Poor and the Downtrodden life and are only too glad to be stooges or pawns in the hands of the internal Colonial Masters.

There is also the question of massive unemployment in the region, even with the presence of all the Multinationals in the region. You will expect that Companies that explore oil should naturally have their Head Offices in their areas of operation, But no, the internal Colonial Masters ensured that all the Oil Exploration Companies have their Head Offices in Lagos and Abuja where recruitment is done and they employ all sort of people from around the world and the Country to come work in the region under the guise that they have certificates and the People of the Niger Delta did not go to School and so do not have certificates.

I raised my tiny voice in one of my articles; TheKaima Declaration Almost 16 years After - whither the Struggle Pt 2 to draw attention to the need for the Niger Delta and the Ijaw Nation in particular to maximize the moment as pockets of successful and or wealthy individuals do not translate to the fulfillment of the collective aspirations of the people.  I stated then inter alia “…………if not for the struggle, His Excellency President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan may not have emerged as Vice President and subsequently President, so to a large extend he is the greatest beneficiary of the struggle but have the Ijaws fared better under his rule? ~ Michaelbotu’s blog 10\07\2014.

Our President is largely seen as slow in almost all areas, a fact he acknowledged recently but his body language and actions does not show that he is in a hurry to address the Niger Delta question. In fact the President made reference to the election result in response to a question from Dr. Pauline Baker, the President Emeritus of the Fund for Peace; she asked specifically “My question relates to another area of Nigeria that hasn’t gotten a lot of attention during this trip and that is the Niger Delta. It’s a challenge that you are going to face. I wonder if you would tell us how you intend to approach it with particular reference to the Amnesty, Bunkering and Inclusive Development.?”

In response Our President asked if she has a copy of the Election result, stating a political fact that Constituencies that gave him 97% vote would not be treated equally with Constituencies that gave him 5% vote and true the Niger Delta did not vote for President Buhari. I will want to excuse Our President that he did not understand the question or he did not hear her question clearly but we must not allow the Niger Delta to relapse into the Era of Crisis, it will be one crisis too many for our Nation whose Security Agencies particularly the Army is stressed to the limit with the activities of Boko Haram in some parts of the Northern part of the Country, the South – East is daily been emboldened by the activities of Radio Biafra, everything must be done to ensure that the prevailing Peace in the Niger Delta is sustained