Niger Delta: The Burden Of Appellation.
July 21, 2008 by 
Che Oyimnatumba
The Niger Delta is older than the 1914 amalgamation of Nigeria. But as a political force, Niger Delta is the youngest of the six geo-political zones in Nigeria. Her teeth were sharpened by the Abacha government, when rotational presidency was a thorny issue and consequently, South-South was born to differentiate them from the South East and position them from for a slot in eventual rotational presidency that never got constitutional blessing.
South-South, as an encompassing name for the peoples of the South of Nigeria (Edo, Delta, Rivers, Bayelsa Akwa Ibom and Cross Rivers State), did not adequately represent the interest of the peoples, whose environment have been degraded by oil exploitation. Furthermore, South-South, especially, the nomenclature South-South Peoples Assembly, was sponsored by the sitting governors of that region to anoint themselves as the sole presidential candidate. Being anchored on the ambition of the political class, the people felt alienated and the erstwhile foot soldiers of the South-South, armed by the politicians, turned against each other. To give relevance to the gang clash, these “soldiers” dusted the lukewarm struggle of the Ogoins over Shell’s abuse of the environment and gave it a broader nomenclature called Niger Delta Struggle.
This new name in content alienates some states of the South-South. Edo, Akwa Ibom, Cross Rivers were sidelined and the theatre of the “struggle”, Rivers State becomes the alpha and omega of the expression Niger Delta. Their younger brother Bayelsa, gets peripheral mention by virtue of her Ijaw ethnic tribe content. The question smothering in the mouth of many Nigerians is; Is the Ijaws the only peoples of the Niger Delta? Check the content of MEND, defunct Asari’s group and Ateke Tom.
Agreed the Ijaws a on water living people, are the most affected by the careless oil spillage by these oil multinational pirates, who cares no hoot about their environment, so long as their home country gets fat return. If the Niger Delta struggle is to have a lasting solution, the word Niger Delta should include all the peoples of South-South. If not any solution in the present “Niger Delta”, will spark up a “Niger Delta” kind of struggle in another South-South state. The inland oil producing states of Imo and Abia, will also take up arms.
It is the non-understanding of the true Niger Delta that has made the problems of the Niger Delta appear unsolvable. When Ken Saro-wiwa staged his fight, he narrowed it to the Ogoins. Had he expanded the struggle to incorporate other peoples of the South-South, there may not have been any sector of the people left out for the foot soldiers of the politicians to fall to after falling out with their godfathers. If you can remember, these modern day soldiers for the emancipation or defence of the Niger Delta, never set out to do so. They were purely political thugs, who ran out of favour with their sponsors and became over night champions of the Niger Delta struggle.
As a result, different names have been appendage to them. First they were labelled cultists. Then their clashes were against each other, in order to deliver their area of control at the next election to the ruling party or any party that dropped the weightiest Ghana-Must-Go. When it appeared to the other groups that a group, is getting more government attention, embarrassing the government by kidnapping oil expatriates became order of the day. These kidnapped expatriates were released to governor(s), to give the impression that the governor is in charge. In the process, the governor gets international applause and a nod from Aso Rock, without anybody asking how much was given to the boys in the creek to release the onyibo.
If the federal government is serious about solving holistically the Niger Delta crisis, the nomenclature must be apt. But the government is as confused as ever. The backward march of Yar’Adua’s government bared its nakedness last week, when the Vice President, Jonathan Goodluck, announced that the government is dropping the name Niger Delta Summit (NDS) for Niger Delta Dialogue. By this act of cowardice, the government has shown that she has no understanding of the issues in the Niger Delta. There has been dialogue about oil exploitation and its environmental impact since the first exploration in Iho North West of Imo State in 1951 and in Niger Delta since oil was discovered in commercial quantity at Oloibiri in 1956. Rather than creating tension with Gambari, who did not understand the Niger Delta struggle and called Ken Saro-wiwa and Co. Common criminals, the government should have quietly dusted the files of ageless documents on the Niger Delta and implement them. The NDDC for starters can be given a patriotic face lift to meet the needs of Niger Delta and not a source for job for the boys.
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we must all speak with one voice. such violence that will lead to the shedding of the blood of the people for which we are fighting should be avoided at all cost. we should know it in real practice that we can not fight the federal government so never think of that at all; it should never be one of the options. killing security men is a very serious offence in any polity we should not do that again. the resolution is definite and the language sure: while we are not calling our brothes parasites we must have our fair share of our natural resources. militancy is a forced-upon idea and we can not depend on it. i refer us to rev ayo oritsejeafor’s paper. the federal government should show understanding and treat the matter with urgency. no war. we are nigerians let us all join hands to build a nation where no man is oppressed. as what we have should rightly belong to all of us, what all the rest have should belong to us as well.i therefoe call on the federal government and the dear people of the niger delta to treat the matter practically. enough of unnecessary round table talks. act now. peace is all we need now more than ever. THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE NIGER DELTA IS AN EMERGENCY: SITE AN OIL MESEUM IN OLOIBIRI. GIVE US A MODERN NETWORK OF STANDARD ROADS, GOOD DRINKING WATER, ELECTRICITY, HOSPITALS, STANDARD SCHOOLS, STADIA, PARKS TOURIST’S ATTRACTIONS, MARKETS,AND GOOD REPRESENTATION IN GOVERNMENT.
the militia come from our homes. call your sons and adughters and instruct them of the evils and dangers of that violent action. listen every family should have people who can stand out and say “who goes there,” but that is reserved for when it is neccessary. for now let us drop all weapons and watch the government comply. NO MAN IS A SLAVE IN HIS OWN HOME.
The federal government is beateable! History has shown and glorified the underdog. The story of David and Goliath have been adapted into all sorts and the most lasting, is the cartoon Tom and Jerry. No matter how big an institution is, it can be defeated. The mighty Roman Empire collapsed, USA is facing same in Iraq. Cuba under the leadership of the trio: Che Guevara Raul and Fidel Castro, showed that with commitment and a passion for a better society, the mighty can be slain by the small concentrated force.
What we need to get an egalitarian society, where all can be the best he can is a conscious engagement of those in power. The Niger Delta problem is solvable, if only the militants can add political tonic to their struggle. They should use constructive violence. The reverence for the dragon is not in his strength but in his ability to muster strength at will and when needful.
The militants should broaden the scope of the struggle to be a class struggle that will cut across all ethnic groups. As the “battle” is currently waged, a lot of people, who would have contributed are alienated and see the Niger Delta issue as an Ijaw nationality question. Even among the peoples of the Niger Delta, a good number do not understand the militancy of the groups. There is need for proper education of the oppressed people of Nigeria, that the Niger Delta crisis, is a class struggle and not merely environmental.
Who are those who have oil well in the Niger Delta? Who and whose sons are directors in these multi-national oil companies?
Militancy have brought the Niger Delta crisis to lime light, this is the time for constructive political education and politricking. Even while this is going on, the arms should be well oiled and a renewed offensive commenced at the slightest wavering on the part of the government.
Peace is not the absence of war, rancour or injury but the presence of justice, for those bruised.