Niger-Delta: A New Thinking, A New Strategy

Ebi Bless Asain

The Ijaws struggle for economic empowerment and political emancipation in the Niger-delta is now more than 50 years old. Like the gentle and sharp meanders of the famous river Nun, the tale of the Ijaws long and enduring struggle for more than self recognition in Nigeria is both riveting as it is instructive and inspiring.

This, no doubt represents the classic case study of a people’s collective will and capacity to persevere under post colonial federal government oppression, domination and blatant injustice. Throw in the scorched-earth policies of the international oil corporations like Chevron, Shell, BP, Texaco and others, one can perhaps appreciate the dire needs and plight of the people and the painful realities of the entire region. Against this stirring backdrop, consider the fact that this is the region that produces much of the country’s wealth and income.

In the cause of this long and on-going struggle, the emergence of Bayelsa as a distinct Ijaw state must be seen as a huge step forward. However, it is unfortunate that statehood and a tiny semblance of self determination has not articulated into the promised land that the likes of the late Major Isaac Adaka Boro and most Ijaws had dreamt about. With statehood has come a new breed of local politicians and leaders whose greed, corruption and oppressive actions are as pervasive as those of the federal government and oil corporations stifling policies. This third column has added a new dimension to the Ijaws on-going struggle.

While condemning hostage taking in no uncertain terms, youth restiveness and the collective angst and frustrations of the Ijaw people is quite understandable. Given the harrowing experiences of the recent past, it becomes not only imperative but prudent that we must now inculcate a new thinking and a new strategy. Call it the Niger-Delta Initiative.

The Niger-Delta Initiative (NDI) is predicated on the concept that we must also look inwards at the same time that we confront our external forces. We must imbibe the wisdom that sometimes one’s potent enemies are those from within. Youth restiveness therefore, should be organized to challenge the excesses of not only our current Governor and legislators but the broad spectrum of the political leadership. Youth restiveness must be channeled to be the eyes and ears of the people. Our youths must be organized to work with and if need be challenge the work of our local government counselors and chairmen. Our youth leaders must find ways to work with the media for the people’s common good. In this regard, they must elevate public relations as part and parcel of our development process.

The association of Ijaw youth movements across the Niger-delta must be seen as a necessary pressure group relevant in the socio-economic and political tapestry of the region. These youth movements , not beholding to any special interests, they can effectively curb the incompetence and excesses of our enemies within, the Third Colum that was alluded to inter-alia.

We must understand that politics is all about the collective force of numbers. By their shear numbers, the association of Ekpetiama youths, Gbarain Youths, Opokuma Youths, Kolokuma and other youth movements across the state can not be ignored by the state commissioners, legislators, politicians and traditional leaders. Ultimately, these youth movements will be strengthening the ideals of representative democracy in the Niger-delta that is currently not at par with the aspirations of the people.

Today, a larger section of Yanegoa, the capital is deprived of electricity. Yet, lawmakers and members of the executive all live in protected estates with generators running 24 hours at the tax payers expense. It brings back memories of the old days when our colonialists live in GRAs with well manicured gardens and the rest of ordinary Nigerians live in the shanty towns. Yanegoa has yet to have a functional drainage system, pipe-borne water, public transportation and good roads. This is after it has received over 300 billion naira from the federation account in the last 7 years! The people of Bayelsa state should be outraged. Equally, the youths of the state must realize that very little will change until they find the means to let the powers that be know that our underdevelopment must be shared by all. Where is leadership by example?

Our struggle with the federal government will give us little incremental gains over time no doubt. But our main battle for now is internal. Until that battle is won, we will be in the doldrums for another 50 years!