What are the odds that the further escalation of conflict in the Niger Delta could bring the Nigerian oil-industry to a stand-still?   The chances are pretty high, to go by recent events.  Pointers to a potential disaster include the shoot-at-sight presidential order, the execution of that order and the threats by militants to get revenge for the resulting deaths.  If not handled with greater care by both sides, especially the government, this tempting escalation may be one of the final strokes that rupture Nigeria ’s tenuous fabric irrevocably.  Such a rupture would create a nightmare for neighboring countries and disrupt the global oil market terribly.

As we struggle to entrench democracy in our life, the Niger Delta challenge presents an opportunity for national problem-solving.  At the core of the conflict is this matter of fairness.  It is hard to argue with the militants.  The region produces most of the country’s oil revenue with pittance to show for it.  What is disheartening is the poverty in that region.  Even more disheartening is the poverty in another region of the country, the so-called “North”.  Ironically, its indigenes, mostly through brutal military dictatorships, have for long controlled Nigeria ’s oil-wealth.

An eye-opener for me as a reporter was a trip to a number of northern states many years back. It was amazing the number of unemployed Northern graduates I ran into.  They didn’t have ‘connections’ like other people.  So, they were left to fend for themselves like many others down South.  The squalor of living conditions in many parts of the North raises a critical question.  Whose interests do these Northern politicians truly represent in their clamor for power?

Hundreds of protesting Kaduna Textiles Limited (KTL) workers seem to know the answer.  They believe the politicians represent themselves and should not be trusted with ruling Nigeria again.  The Guardian newspaper of 6th July 2006 quoted their placards: "Arewa not competent to lead Nigeria in 2007," "Northern governors cannot Lead Nigeria," "Democracy without jobs is a time bomb.”  Their beef was the 3,000 workers terminated without benefits, with over 111 dying since the closure of KTL. 

It’s worthwhile to recall more of that news report: “According to the workers, the northern leaders and governors have displayed incompetence in leading the nation as evidenced by the collapse of key industries in the North, especially the collapse of KTL, the Bank of the North (BON), the New Nigerian Newspapers (NNN), and the Northern Nigerian Development Company (NNDC). Besides, the workers insist, over 15,000 Nigerians have lost their jobs in the past four years due to the collapse of the industries.”

The protesting workers promised to mobilize support for “any credible presidential candidate from the South-South” in the 2007 elections. It would be safe to say many in the South-South were pleased with this promise from the protesters.  Having a son of the South-South as president is seen by many as a major step towards solving the Niger Delta crisis.  The assumption is that an indigene would better appreciate and solve the problems of inequities that have plagued that region.  Given the Northern example, how true is this assertion?

Not true at all, I say.  If the Northern rulers could fail so miserably, what then is the basis to assume South-South leaders would do any better?  Another assumption is that they couldn’t possibly do worse.  Who could be worse, some may ask, than Abacha?  And if Nigeria is doomed to bad presidents, others may argue, then the South-South should contribute to the cesspool.  To this point, I say "Whoa!”                                                                                         

Indeed, we can’t ignore symbolism as a point of contention in resolving the sense of alienation felt by the South-South.  Governor Kure of Niger State certainly didn’t help with his ill-conceived and arrogant remarks.  If ever a comment could spark a civil war, his would make the top-ten list.  It symbolized and reinforced the third-class citizen status ascribed to Southern minorities in their own country (by groups in the North and South alike). To be fair, the guy is said to have apologized for claiming the region lacked quality candidates for the presidency.  Let’s leave it at that even though the damage’s already been done.

Beyond the symbol of fairness, how do we address the substance of fairness, the lack of which is more glaring in the Niger Delta?  Let’s say an Ijaw man or Itsekiri woman gets elected president in 2007 or thereafter, and he/she turns out to be a rogue, then what?   What these questions illustrate is how complicated the Niger Delta issue is, and how it symbolizes at heart what is wrong with Nigeria . 

In the long-run, the ethnic background of a ruler shouldn’t matter.  The fact that it does now is alarming.  As human beings, we don’t have to be from a particular region or race to identify with, and help solve, their sufferings.  It is a reflection of the diseased human heart that is mirrored in this corrupt Nigerian perspective that ethnicity is now a factor in being our brother/sister’s keeper.  What do I care if someone is from Ireland , Igboland or Edoland?  Especially if that person needs my help or deserves to be treated fairly?  Fair is fair regardless of race, color or region.

The peoples of the Niger Delta deserve better than we have been treating them.  There are many among the restless youth in that region seeking meaningful employment who can’t find any.  Instead they are finding compatriots in the same conditions elsewhere who may also be tempted to take up arms.  Thankfully, the northern workers have so far chosen the part of peaceful protest.  We need not wait for rabble-rousers to exploit the situation before we act.

Armed conflict is yet to solve any human problem that I know of.  The Niger Delta is no exception, likewise the general problem of fairly distributing Nigeria ’s wealth.  Our democratic experiment gives us some leverage to discuss and sort things out.  Let’s maximize this opportunity while we still can.  The government, on its part, need not provoke the militants further to make them more desperate.  OBJ please rescind that order!  The militants have to deal with the pain of dead compatriots who were said to be on a peace mission. We need to appeal for their patience.  Returning fire for fire leaves everybody dead! 

At some point, the hostage-taking and attacks on oil facilities have to stop.  And the oil-companies and the government(s) must fulfill their responsibilities to the devastated communities.  These conditions are inseparable, unfortunately, for peace to reign.  Until then, we must not forget one placard from the protesting workers: "Democracy without jobs is a time bomb.”  The count-down ticks towards zero for this Niger Delta bomb, threatening to engulf other alienated Nigerians.  Sensible and selfless people need to step up to see the situation diffused and resolved quickly.  Otherwise, democratic transitions could become the least of Nigeria ’s problems, and those campaigning for rotational presidency may end up being rulers of refugee camps!

fredlintaz@yahoo.com

Robot  Villager

# 1 ...Read the full article. Posted by Robot| 05.09.2006 11:49

EezeeBee  Villager

# 2 Mr. Igbeare, You ask an excellent question: What guarantees exist that a 'leader' from the south-south will do any better than a 'leader' from the 'north'?. The answer: NONE! Indeed a ROGUE from the South is identical in every material and malevolent particular with a ROGUE from the North. You even refer to these people wrongly: They are no 'leaders' they are 'rulers' who have raped the commonwealth of Nigeria for their own narrow, selfish purposes. On the surface, it would appear that a 'change' from 'north' to 'south' would make a difference. INCORRECT! All that would make a difference is a CHANGE in mindset from 'ruler' to 'servant leader'. Anything else and the ravages will continue. We must develop the politics of institutions and not personalities to emerge from this morass. Posted by EezeeBee| 05.09.2006 13:46

VOR  Villager

# 3 Is this what the people of Bayelsa need their money spent on right now? For God sake, what is wrong with our rulers?? Bayelsa governor swears in 51 aides From Willie Etim, Yenagoa BAYELSA State Governor, Goodluck Jonathan, has sworn in 51 persons as his senior special assistants, as part of the government policy to take governance close to the people. A senior government official told The Guardian shortly after the inauguration that their different portfolios would be made known to them within the week. Those appointed include Messrs Chubi Ben-Walson, Izi Fafa, D.D. Kalsuo, Patrick Ogoun, P. Kpodoh, B. Z. Avah, E. Egbide, F. B. Campbell, Jephta Wilson, J. P. Vallant, Rufus Abadi, Ambaowei Wisdom, Omiebi Fuoebi, Sonny Soroh; Patrick Osonu and Miss Princess Mabinton. Others are Gideon Ogoun, Target Segibo, Denis Sammy-Ebie, Ruby Oruasa, German Keniewenimo, Bekekiri Eke, Felix Azazi, Gowon Deinduomo, Jude Tabai, Thompson Amule, Sybriks Obiriki, Richmond Okrinya, Mietema Obodo, Eveln Orukari, Geofrey Otokitor, Daziba Obah, Kune Igoni and Pogonyo Beimonyo. Also appointed are Ebi Spiff, Atonkere Kalabo, Kumo Goerge, Danes Otiotio, Marline Daniel, Inifie Ide, Aye Jepthah Iti, Benjamin Abrakasa, Ombiri Oguoko, Temple Iluma , Edi Orubo, Charles Zuofa, Ayakeme Whisky, and Michael Ogbolosinger. At the inauguration, the governor explained that he had appointed them to serve as stabilising factors in the state's political equation. He urged them to be focused and dedicated to the service of the state, as governance is all about collective effort. Guardian online 7/9/2006 Posted by VOR| 07.09.2006 19:30