The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Niger-Delta

  • Osinbajo: how to develop Niger Delta

    Osinbajo: how to develop Niger Delta

    •VP: Fed Govt can’t do it alone

    It was a colorful ceremony. Traditional rulers in their ceremonial regalia, women groups in uniformed dresses and excited youths eager to catch a glimpse of the visitor.
    But Vice President Yemi Osinbajo’s visit yesterday to Oporoza, the headquarters of Gbaramatu Kingdom in Delta State, was everything but ceremonial. It was businesslike.
    In fact, it was part of the strategy designed to stop the militancy that has badly affected crude oil production and Nigeria’s foreign exchange earnings.
    Gbaramatu is the home-base of fugitive ex-militant leader Chief Government Ekpemupolo, who is also known as Tompolo.
    Prof Osinbajo, who was accompanied by Delta State Governor Dr Ifeanyi Okowa and Minister of State for Petroleum Dr Ibe Kachikwu, said the development of the Niger Delta was not a responsibility that only the Federal Government could shoulder, stressing that other stakeholders must join hands with the government to solve the region’s question.
    The vice president, who visited the temporary site of the proposed Nigerian Maritime University in Kurutie after addressing the huge crowd that received him, left Gbaramatu Kingdom for Warri. He visited the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Ikenwoli. He addressed a meeting at the PTI Conference Centre, Effurun.
    Speaking on the need for the development of the Niger Delta, which he agreed had a genuine need to be treated as a special development zone, Osinbajo said: “Number one, we must recognise the environmental and terrain challenges of the Niger Delta. We must also recognise that the Niger Delta is a special economic zone for this nation and so we must treat it as a special development zone.
    “I agree that it must be treated as a special development zone. But what does it mean in practical terms? It means that the Federal Government, the state governments, the National  Assembly representatives, alongside the NDDC and the civil society representatives of the Niger Delta people must sit together and develop a plan and funding arrangement for rapid development.
    “There is no excuse for not planning together, the Federal Government alone cannot solve the problems of the Niger Delta, it is impossible for the Federal Government alone, but we can, sitting with the state governors from this region, National Assembly members and civil society organisations, plan for this special development zone and make sure that we carry it out and deliver on the promises that we have made to the people.”
    “The states must also be prepared to devote substantial budget to this special project. The PANDEF has submitted a concise list of 16 dialogue issues that will be extremely helpful in ascertaining the key development priorities. That PANDEF document is an important working document; it’s a document around which we can plan,” he said.
    Dr Kachikwu harped on the need for the people to look into the tourism potentials of the region and start tapping it for its development.
    Okowa, who described the vice president’s visit as both a game changer and confidence-builder in the relationship between the people and the Federal Government, however noted that the people must allow the enabling environment for development to come.
    He expressed the confidence that the visit would yield a lot of positive fruits and development, stressing the need for the people to give peace a chance.
    Ijaw Youths Congress (IYC) National Leader Udengs Eradiri said the people were willing to work with the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration, but pleaded that the Federal Government cease what he called the persecution of Ijaw leaders and release all those arrested.
    Among the dignitaries at the Oporoza event were Senator Babafemi Ojudu, Senator James Manager; Brig-Gen. Paul Boroh; Deputy Governor Kingsley Otuaro; the first military administrator of Old Rivers and the Amanyanabo of Twon-Brass, King Alfred Diete-Spiff; one-time Minister of Police Affairs Alaowei Broderick Bozimo; House of Representatives member Hon Julius Pondi; Chief Anabs Sara-Igbe, former Acting Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Pastor Power Aginighan; the National President of the Ijaw Youths Council (IYC), Udengs Eradiri; representative of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) Jenkins Timipa Okponipre. Ijaw chiefs, the clergy, youths and women from various walks of life.

  • Osinbajo visits Tompolo’s home base, pleads for stakeholders support

    As part of federal government’s efforts to peacefully sort out resurgent militancy in the Niger Delta region, Vice President Yemi Osibajo on Monday  visited Oporoza community, the headquarters of Gbaramatu Kingdom in Delta state, on a fact-finding visit.

    Gbaramatu is the home-base of fugitive ex-militant leader, Chief Government Ekpemupolo, also known as Tompolo.

    Professor Osibajo, who was accompanied by the Delta state governor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, the Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr Ibe Kachikwu, said the issue of development of the Niger Delta region was not a responsibility that only the federal government could tackle, noting that other stakeholders must join hands with government to solve the region’s question.

    The Vice President who visited the temporary site of proposed Nigerian Maritime University in Kurutie after addressing the huge crowd that came receive him, later left Gbaramatu Kingdom for Warri, where he paid a courtesy call on the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Ikenwoli. He went on from there to address a meeting help at the PTI Conference Centre, Effurun.

    Addressing the need for the development of the Niger Delta region, which he agreed had a genuine need to be treated as a special development zone, Osibajo said “number one, we must recognise the environmental and terrain challenges of the Niger Delta, we must also recognise that the Niger Delta is a special economic zone for this nation and so we must treat it as a special development zone.

    “I agree that it must be treated as a special development zone. But what does it mean in practical terms? It means that the federal government, the state governments, the National  Assembly representatives, alongside the NDDC and the civil society representatives of the Niger Delta people must sit together and develop a plan and funding arrangement for rapid development.

    “There is no excuse for not planning together, the federal government alone cannot solve the problems of the Niger Delta, it is impossible for the federal government alone, but we can, sitting with the state governors from this region, National Assembly members and civil society organisations, plan for this special development zone and make sure that we carry it out and deliver on the promises that we have made to the people.

    “The states must also be prepared to devote substantial budget to this special project. The PANDEF has submitted a concise list of 16 dialogue issues that will be extremely helpful in ascertaining the key development priorities. That PANDEF document is an important working document, it’s a document around which we can plan”, he said.

    In his speech, the Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr Ibe Kachikwu, harped on the need for the people of the region to look into the tourism potentials of the region and start tapping it for the development of the area.

    The state governor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, who described the visit of the Vice President as both a game changer and confidence builder in the relationship between people of the region and the federal government, however noted that the people must allow the enabling environment for development to come.

    He expressed the confidence that the visit would yield a lot of positive fruits and development in the future, emphasizing the need for the people to give peace a chance for the region to move on.

    Also speaking, National President of the Ijaw Youths Congress (IYC), Udengs Eradiri, said the people of the region were willing to work with the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration, but plead that the federal government cease the persecution of Ijaw leaders and release all those already arrested.

  • How to resolve Niger Delta crisis, by Dickson

    How to resolve Niger Delta crisis, by Dickson

    Bayelsa State Governor Henry Seriake Dickson has an answer to the Niger Delta crisis – if the Federal Government should engage in more confidence building.

    In his view, Nigeria would not have been in recession but for the crisis.

    Dickson, who spoke with reporters in Abuja warned the ruling All Progressives Congress ( APC) against muzzling the opposition Peoples Democratic Party( PDP).

    Among others, the governor spoke on his plans to provide water for more than 200 communities, said it was possible to resolve the crisis with “better tact.”

    He said: “If you are talking of raising several trillions of naira to fund the federal budget, and the state budget which are also predicated on oil revenue, then we must be concerned about what happens from the source of that money. So it is an issue that everybody must be concerned. We in the Niger Delta, my colleagues and I; we are all trying our best.

    “But you see all of these takes some level of partnership and collaboration; so while we governors try our best and while leaders like Edwin Clark and others are trying their best and security agents are doing their best, community leaders are doing their best, we also expect the political leadership at the centre to also appreciate these challenges and then follow up and encourage and build understanding and promote dialogue and peace building.

    “Unfortunately, like Chief Edwin Clark said, not much is happening from the federal side, I am not saying that they are not concerned. They are because they also know the implications. Part of the reasons our country went into recession is because of the crisis in the Niger Delta. And so they are all concerned and I am aware that the Vice President would be visiting the region very soon and we are supporting that endeavour for people to go and see the real situation of the Niger Delta.

    “All in all, we will like to see more commitment and more proactive engagement by the Federal Government and their agencies.

    The issues in the Niger Delta revolve around security and stability and development and the need to expand economic opportunities. These are the challenges that I see. And, for me, we will continue to keep Bayelsa safe and protect strategic assets to enable production take place and I know that colleagues are also doing the same. All we ask is that the federal agencies should be more sensitive, should show greater commitment and be more proactive and engage.”

    Dickson spoke of past effort to ensure peace. He said: “I cannot recount how many times ex- President Obasanjo and his national security team led by Gen. Aliyu Gusau and others. They convened conferences and meetings at different levels. You remember immediately after his election, the first place Obasanjo went to was Warri, Port Harcourt and at every major development, the President would be calling the governors to direct, also the National Security Advisers would be calling. Even though there were challenges, there was a concerted  meeting of minds by the leadership.

    “But I think in the end we are going to work to address most of it because these are long standing challenges and issues;  they are not issues that started with this government; the issues of lack of development, the issues of environment, the issues of economic exclusion, these are long-standing things.

    “But the important thing is confidence-building and keeping hope alive and making concrete efforts and I think more of that should go on.”

    Dickson believes that President Muhammadu Buhari should be respected because difference in parties should not affect governance.

    He said: “I  believe essentially that difference in party should not affect governance and there should be respect for leadership and leadership begets leadership. Nigerian leaders should respect themselves, I mean those in government and those out of government, because in the end, everybody has made contribution to national development which should be acknowledged, which should be respected. And I feel whoever is the President of this country should be respected.

    “Although let me add that the APC didn’t accord the former President that respect when he was in office. APC played politics when they were in opposition with anything and everything. They played politics with Boko Haram, played politics with the economy, and played politics with fuel subsidy. And now they came and reversed fuel subsidy. So, they played politics with anything and everything.

    “I don’t think that to be in opposition I have to be abusing the President or  I have to be attacking his wife.

    “I think that certain things should be off limit but that does not mean that we should not disagree. And that is why I said we should carry on our politics in this country with respect for one another knowing that whether we agree or disagree we are Nigerians and we have our country to work for.”

  • Boko Haram: Niger Delta ex-militant leaders hail Buhari

    Boko Haram: Niger Delta ex-militant leaders hail Buhari

    • Seek presidential intervention on ex-militants’ plight

    Ex-militant leaders from the Niger Delta region, yesterday, described President Muhammadu Buhari as a relentless warrior following his victory over the Boko Haram insurgents.

    Leaders of Second Phase Presidential Amnesty Programme in a joint statement issued in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State capital, commended Buhari for effectively taking over the notorious Sambisa Forest and ending terror regime of Boko Haram in the country.

    The National Chairman of the Second Phase, Mr Sylvester Tambo and the leaders of the group in Bayelsa, Mr Salvation Rufus and Delta State, Mr Muturu Kingsley, insisted that the President’s relentless efforts and consistent approach brought the unholy activities of the terrorist group in the North East to an end.

    But the ex-warlords appealed to Buhari to quickly resolve issues affecting the Niger Delta ex-militants including their arrears of unpaid stipends.

    They, however, blamed the travails of the ex-militants on the alleged refusal of the Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun, to release N30bn earmarked for the payment.

    They urged the minister to play a leadership role and encourage the youths from the region by quickly releasing the money for their stipends to complement the peace efforts of the President.

    The ex-militant leaders said: “We are commending President Muhammadu Buhari for his relentless approach in bringing the unholy activities of the Boko Haram to an end in the North East.

    “But we are appealing to the President to prevail on the Minister of Finance to release the N30bn earmarked for the payment of stipends to beneficiaries of the amnesty programme.

    “The inability to release funds to the Amnesty Office by the Finance Minister has greatly hampered effective payment of their salaries by the programme Coordinator, Brigadier Paul Boroh (retd).

    “We are also appealing to the Minister of Finance to play a leadership role and encourage the youths as President Buhari is doing. She should stop discouraging the youths from the Niger Delta region”.

    They noted that the ex-militants needed all their money to enable their children and wards return to school following the resumption of schools across the country.

    “We urge the minister of finance to do the needful by settling all outstanding debts to enable Paul Boroh function properly”, they said.

    The leaders also hinted that a crucial general meeting 125 ex-militant leader representing 6,600 ex-militants captured in the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) would hold at Bomadi, Delta State, on Saturday next week.

    The meeting would discuss knotty issues affecting the Niger Delta region especially the future of the amnesty programme and the region’s search for permanent peace.

    They urged all the leaders to attend the meeting en masse adding that important decisions would be taken at the gathering.

  • Power supply, gas our major challenges in 2016 – Water Corporation

    Power supply, gas our major challenges in 2016 – Water Corporation

    Mr Muminu  Badmus, the Managing Director of Lagos Water Corporation (LWC), on Tuesday, identified power and gas as major challenges the corporation faced in water production and distribution in 2016.

    Badmus told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that the incessant interruption in water supply in the state, especially the metropolis in 2016, was due to the challenges.

    “The power supply was erratic and the constant blowing of gas pipes in the Niger Delta made procurement of gas to the Independent Power Plants (IPP) attached to the major water works stations difficult.

    “The Corporation had to procure diesel generators to power the water works to make water supply possible in the metropolis.

    “The cost of diesel with the economic recession that is affecting the exchange rate is escalating by the day,’’ he said.

    Badmus said that in spite of the challenges, the corporation was able to ensure that potable water reached all its customers in the state.

    He said that the corporation would continue to plead with its customers to pay their water bills.

    “The water bill now does not cover the cost of producing and distributing water to houses, but it is helping with maintenance,’’ he said.

    Badmus said that the corporation had created regional centres as well as data control to make its bill payment easy for customers.

    He said that in 2017, the corporation would embark on construction of new water works stations to boost the supply of potable water in the state.

    According to him, many Green field projects to be constructed with private sectors through the Public Private Partnership (PPP) modalities have been identified.

    Badmus said that the involvement of the private sector would help the corporation in its effort to provide adequate potable water to areas yet to benefit from its services.

  • Tension in Niger Delta over unpaid Amnesty stipends

    Tension in Niger Delta over unpaid Amnesty stipends

    Former militant leaders and their former foot soldiers in Niger Delta are angry with the Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government because of their unpaid arrears for five months under the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP).
    It was learnt that the ex-militants were regrouping to begin series of protests to register their grievances and compel the government to pay the arrears.
    They were said to have exercised restraint following the interventions and appeals by the PAP Coordinator, Brig-Gen. Paul Boroh.
    An ex-militant leader Salvation Ibina-Rufus said his colleagues were running out of patience.
    He urged President Buhari to intervene in the payment of their stipends.
    The former militant leader noted that the President’s quick intervention would douse the tension mounting in the region over the unpaid arrears.
    Ibina-Rufus, who is the Chairman of PAP Phase Two for Bayelsa State, also urged President Buhari to mandate the Federal Ministry of Finance to release funds to pay the ex-agitators.
    According to him, the payment will prevent another round of restiveness in the region.
    Ibina-Rufus empathised with aggrieved former militants but begged them to be patient with the government.
    The ex-militant leader, who is also a director in the Bayelsa State Environmental Sanitation Authority, recalled that following the meeting they held with Boroh, the beneficiaries were told that they would be paid after the New Year holiday.
    He attributed the delay to the inability of the Ministry of Finance to release funds to the Amnesty Office for the payment.
    The former militant leader thanked his members for their understanding and patience.
    He advised them to maintain the peace.
    Ibina-Rufus said Boroh demonstrated sincerity and commitment to ensuring the payment of former agitators’ stipends.
    He said: “We equally want to appeal President Buhari to instruct the Minister Finance to release the N30 billion approved by the Presidency to the Amnesty Office to enable Boroh perform his work effectively and to avoid another round of restiveness in the region.
    “We are optimistic that President Buhari is aware of the sufferings and pains Christians underwent during the Christmas celebration due to the non-release of salaries by the Finance Ministry.”
    Also, a leader of the PAP’s First Phase, Mr. Excel Tonomo Divine, urged beneficiaries under his command to remain calm while things were being sorted out.
    The former militant leader advised them to maintain peace and order, saying he was optimistic that their salaries would be paid after the Yuletide break.
    In a statement, Boroh appealed to ex-agitators to remain calm.
    The presidential aide assured that the government was making efforts to pay the stipends.
    He said: “Federal Government’s commitment towards the full implementation of the current re-integration of ex-agitators in the Niger Delta region into civil society with sustainable source of livelihood has remained a top priority to the President.”
    He said the Amnesty Office would pay the delayed monthly stipends as soon as it received approved funds.
    According to him, President Buhari’s recent approval of additional funds for the programme was a clear commitment and demonstration of his concern for the welfare of the youths in the region.
    Boroh said the paper work for the immediate payment of the stipends had been done, pending the arrival of the approved funds.
    The presidential aide hailed the ex-agitators for their maturity and understanding.
    He urged the youths in the Niger Delta region to always maintain peace.

  • Niger Delta won’t back agitation to split Nigeria, says Wike

    Niger Delta won’t back agitation to split Nigeria, says Wike

    Leaders and people of Niger Delta will defend Nigeria’s unity because they believe the country should remain as one indivisible entity, River State Governor Nyesom Wike has said.

    Speaking during a visit to Sultan of Sokoto Alhaji Saad Abubakar at his palace, Wike said Nigeria’s unity is ‘non-negotiable’ and of paramount importance.

    He added that the interest of Nigerians and Africans would be better served with Nigeria remaining as one “strong and united nation”.

    He said: “Let me first of all sincerely thank you, our father the Sultan, for what you are doing for this country, working tirelessly to ring peace and to bring unity to the people. So, for all of us, this is what is meant by one Nigeria.

    “We cannot run away from this country. The unity of this country is very, very paramount. The unity of this country is non-negotiable. I am from the Niger Delta, from Rivers State to be specific. So, I cannot see us in a divided country. No way. We stand for the unity of this country,” Wike added.

    According to the governor, his administration has put a lot of time, resources and energy to protect national assets, especially the ones in Rivers State.

    “In Rivers, you hardly find pipeline vandalisation. We are working at all times to protect national assets in our state. In my state, I am governor for all the people living in the state. I am not a governor of a particular political party, but a governor for all the people of Rivers State.”

    He hailed the Sultan for his leadership of the Muslim community in Nigeria, adding that he was in Sokoto to felicitate with his colleague, Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, who gave out his daughter in marriage on Saturday.

    He equally dispelled the notion that his relationship with Tambuwal had political connotation, saying the Sokoto governor had been his friend for a long time, “long before politics defined who we are now.”

    “Tambuwal is my friend for a long time. If anything affects him, it affects me also. If he gives out his daughter in marriage, I have to be here to support him. If any problem happens to him, it affects me as well.

    “Your Eminence, I am here to seek your royal blessing. You have blessed me before, that is why I am growing. So, let me wish you a prosperous new year ahead,” he added.

    Both the host governor and Sultan implored Nigerians to live in peace with one another, and wished their countrymen and women a year full of happiness and blessings.

    The governor has also restated his administration’s commitment to promoting peace and growth in the state.

    In a New Year message broadcast in Port Harcourt yesterday, Wike said his administration had enormous political will to embark on projects that would trigger growth across the state.

    He urged Rivers people to work together to ensure that the state enjoyed peace and development in 2017.

    “We cannot thank you enough for your consistent prayers, understanding, sacrifices and unconditional support and encouragement throughout 2016.

  • Niger Delta crises: ‘MEND has no confidence in Buhari’s govt’

    Niger Delta crises: ‘MEND has no confidence in Buhari’s govt’

    The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) has “categorically and unequivocally” passed a vote of no confidence in the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari for allegedly not handling the Niger Delta crisis well.

    In an online statement yesterday by its spokesperson Jomo Gbomo, MEND said its decision was without prejudice to the pre-presidential election endorsement, freely and voluntarily given to President Buhari on January 6, 2015.

    The statement said: “Prior to and after his (President Buhari’s) reluctant meeting with the traditional rulers, opinion leaders and stakeholders of the Niger Delta region, under the auspices of Pan-Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) on November 1, 2016, President Buhari has been carrying on arrogantly and making controversial, prejudicial, conflicting and contradictory statements about the politics and economy of the oil-rich region.

    “Since he assumed the reins, President Buhari has always, for reasons best known to him, held the Niger Delta region in contempt, while accusing and/or blackmailing the leadership of the region of not being ready for dialogue, whereas it is the Federal Government that is not ready or willing to name a team to dialogue with the people.

    “Prior to the inauguration of PANDEF, several sessions of dialogue held between representatives of MEND, on the one hand, and those of the Federal Government, on the other hand, where concessions were secured for the release of the Okah brothers and several other political detainees and prisoners of conscience, were deceptive on the part of the Federal Government.

    “After the MEND/Federal Government dialogue, which was publicly confirmed by no less than President Buhari in his farewell remarks to Mr. Michael Zinner, the outgoing German ambassador to Nigeria, the President reneged on the agreements reached at the dialogue.

    “Following on the heels of the breach of the agreements, President Buhari personally wrote and signed a damaging and prejudicial letter to the Government of South Africa, in an attempt to wilfully truncate the ongoing peace process in Nigeria, sabotage the legal options open to Henry Okah and simultaneously influence the ongoing trial of Charles Okah and others at the Federal High Court in Abuja in favour of the Federal Government.

    “Based on the foregoing, we hereby demand that President Buhari must stop his cunning, crafty and un-statesman-like rhetoric about the Niger Delta region, as they have only served the purpose of jeopardising the fragile peace in the region and consequently direct the relevant agency of government to immediately begin dialogue with the Niger Delta region, as duly and ably represented by PANDEF.”

    MEND also told the Federal Government that all Niger Delta militant commanders and/or individuals who were tracked and arrested during a ceasefire, ahead of talks with the Federal Government, be treated well.

    The militant group also said the suspects should be allowed access to their lawyers, the International Red Cross and a delegation from PANDEF to ascertain their wellbeing and ensure they had not been tortured or killed through extra-judicial means.

  • Amaebi Fashion showcases latest collection

    Amaebi Fashion showcases latest collection

    In a bid to position itself for the festive season as well as the New Year, 2017, city clothier, Amaebi Fashion recently unveiled its new collection. downloadfile-6

    The CEO of Amaebi, Ms Ibiba Don Pedro, in a chat, recently noted that the inspiration for the designs, most of which are Afrocentric, potraying the rich culture of the Niger Delta.

    “This collection is titled ‘Coastal Flavours’. It’s influenced by the rich history of the Niger Delta where several cultures met and fused. You can see the rich textures of ‘Etibo’ which is a mix of Indian and British styles.”unnamed-5
    The colourful collection features boubou with intricately woven embroidery, the traditional Etibo,  elegant skirts and blouse combo, evening gowns, dresses and trousers. “We also have mixed winter clothing in insulated African cotton and other interesting details which remove the drabness from winter clothing,” she noted.
    On the focus on African fabrics and designs, the Rivers State born designer said: “I’m an African woman, a creative fashion designer, fully aware of myself, my history and enjoying my African realities. I’m not going today to simply design western clothing pieces. I might borrow an idea or two here and there, but when you see the general idea, the main fabrics, you’d know this is beauty coming out of Africa. I’m so pleased to see more women wearing African pieces, their natural hair and lots of braids.”
    She’s inspired by the colours, flows of nature, the movement of people, a flash of colour here and there, the swirl of a skirt. “I’m also able to build on what I see on the street, the shape of people I see. I sketch and experiment a lot. unnamed-4
    “It’s a passion that has been with me from childhood, brought back to life through my work with young people in the Niger Delta. The passions of youth, the colours and vibes that flow in them, all these inspire me.”unnamed-3
    Besides occasion wear, the designer also does casuals, evening, swimwear and day wear.
    On her journey into the exciting world of fashion, the CNN award-winning journalist, author and environmentalist stated: “Fashion design was my very first business after NYSC in Kaduna in 1988. It was known as Biba Collection. Creating things is what I do when I’m not reading or writing.
    This current effort is about a year old and is inspired by my work and the equipment I put together working with young people in the Niger Delta.”

  • In defence of Ibori and Niger Delta

    James Ibori, celebrated at home by his people but haunted into prison by his Nigerian and foreign detractors, is unarguably a Niger Delta hero. Jailed by Southwark Crown court  on April 17, 2012 for 13 years after he ‘pleaded guilty to 10 counts of money laundering and stealing $50m from the Delta State treasury’, he was released from prison last week. For turning out in their thousands across Niger Delta region to celebrate his release, the good people of Niger Delta have gone through severe stress and strain.  Professional mourners who weep louder than the bereaved have continued to libel, malign and vilify Ibori’s Niger Delta compatriots. Critics have not been restrained by the Delta State government official statement that acknowledged Ibori as the political leader of the people of Niger Delta. Speaking on behalf of the government, the Commissioner for Information, Patrick Ukah, stated unequivocally, “We are all very happy that our son, our brother, former governor has been released. … As a state, we don’t have issues with our former governor.”  “Ibori remains our political messiah”, added Chief Robert Eyaufe, One of Ibori’s classmates in secondary school,

    Neither have they been restrained by the intervention of Senator Peter Nwabaoshi (PDP, Delta North) who flew to London to pass a vote of confidence on James Ibori as ‘a good man’. According to him, “There may never be a governor in Nigeria who will sit in the cell or prison and make a governor; make a senator, support the Senate President, and make his daughter a member of the House of Assembly… and make a Speaker (of the House of Representatives).

    Rather than be humbled by this level of support, what we got was a cheeky remark by Debo Adeniran, the executive chairman, Coalition Against Corrupt Leaders, that “Ibori has become a king in a community of thieves”, adding that   “demonstration and celebration of Ibori’s release  is a demonstration that crime is a cultural act in that community”. He was joined by Olanrewaju Suraj of Civil Society Network against Corruption, who also says that ‘Ibori’s conviction cannot be said to be politically motivated because it was not carried out by Nigerian courts but by courts of international jurisdiction.’ If you ask me, I will say such statement is in itself politically motivated. Who but the victim is in a better position to determine a politically motivated conviction? Suraj instead of stopping at that went on to add that ‘the majority of the people there (Niger Delta) don’t see their so-called own people as the enemies of the progress of the region”. The verdict of those who voted for him twice and declared him ‘political leader and a messiah’ after serving prison term for the theft of their funds should in my view carry more weight.

    I think what can be said of the Niger Delta region is that it is a land of two extremes where the poor and disadvantaged suffer persecution complex while the privileged who Ken Saro-Wiwa christened “vultures”, that live on the blood of their poor”, suffer from entitlement complex. To the former, outsiders are the villains while those live by swearing in their names, are the heroes. This perhaps explains why Ibori’s other Niger Delta leaders were no less loved.

    Navy Commander Alfred Diette Spiff, governor of River from May 1967 to 1975, who could not pay River State teachers’ salaries as at when due was found to be cruising on the high seas in his private ship on the night of Murtala Muhammed’s coup against Gowon in 1975. Following the probe of Gowon’s military administrators, Diette Spiff lost a rank, his ship and some 16 properties in choice areas of Port Harcourt. His people’s faith in his leadership remained unshaken. They went on to crown him the ‘Amanyanabo Twon’ of Brass in Bayelsa. Peter Odili was governor of Rivers 1999-2007. He was accused by EFCC of diverting N100b states fund for personal use at the end of his tenure. He however secured Justice Ibrahim Buba’s perpetual injunction against trial, an injunction recently described by Presidential Advisory Committee on Corruption (PACAC) that has gone on to recommend his retrial by EFCC, as ’odious, perverted and irresponsible’. Odili, highly respected by the dreadful Niger Delta militants was the kingmaker of all his successor governors including Wike who recently acknowledged his contribution during a church thanksgiving service to his emergence as governor of Rivers. We had the late Diepreye Almieyeseigha, governor of Bayelsa 199-2007. He was first arrested in London in 2005 for stealing the resources of his people to buy four houses worth about 10 million pounds in London and for keeping one million pounds cash at his London home and about two million pounds in his bank account. After jumping bail to escape to Nigeria, he was accused by EFCC of spending his people’s funds to buy $401,913 house in Massachusetts and another $600,000 house in Rockville Maryland USA. EFCC got him indicted through the courts but received presidential amnesty from President Jonathan, another illustrious son of Niger Delta in 2013. Lucky Igbinedion was governor of Edo 1999-2007. He was found guilty of embezzling $24m and was ordered by Justice Abdulahi Kafarati of Federal High Court Enugu to pay a fine of N3m. His indictment had little effect on his popularity among his people. Despite the decay and collapse infrastructure he left behind at the end of his tenure, the candidate he openly supported and promoted in the recent governorship election in Edo State scored about 250,000 votes to the 290,000 of Obaseki, the candidate of Oshiomhole generally praised for his outstanding performance compared only to the Ogbemudia magic era of the 70s.  And finally was Ibori for whom the drums are being rolled out after successfully serving a prison term for stealing $50m from the Delta state treasury.

    Add to the above the declaration of President Jonathan the most successful Niger Delta politician of this century that ‘stealing is not corruption’; we begin to see a trend. It is not an accident that women from Niger Delta along with some 23 different groups from the area have been demonstrating in Lagos and Abuja in solidarity with Mrs. Patience Jonathan who without shame belatedly laid claim to some fictitious accounts to which EFCC had traced some of the ‘Dazukigate’ slush funds.

    And finally, we cannot vilify groups within a federal set up, if they choose to celebrate their culture without apologies. The British we have blamed for our woes for 50 years warned us that as a multi-ethnic society where different groups are at different levels of cultural development, the federating units must run a government based on the culture and creativity of their forebears. Our ill-equipped military for selfish reasons turned our country into a ‘unitary federalism’ creating in the process more divisions. What is going on in the Niger Delta region is not different from what obtains in even advanced cultures of the Western societies where the privileged elite exploit the underprivileged. The difference is only in paradigm change from the law of nature which is the survival of the fittest.

    With a federal arrangement based on consensus of federating ethnic groups, political elite that choose to retain the strategy deployed by the Fulani invaders of the Hausa states after 1804 and those who believe it is in their enlightened self-interest to advance to the one Awo and his new emergent political elite adopted to transform their agrarian Yoruba society between 1952 and 1959 will be at liberty to do so.