Posted by : Emog in (Leadership and Politics)
Political Landscape in the Niger Delta
A lot has happened over the past few weeks in Nigeria. Top
on the list is the recent conviction of the former Governor of
Edo State, Chief Lucky Igbinedion. He was convicted on a
one count charge of corruption by the Federal High court
sitting at Enugu. This brings an end to the case against one of
the ex-Governors who is being prosecuted by the EFCC.
He will forfeit about N503 million and some of his properties.
The question I am asking myself now is, why did he steal so
much from the people who elected him into office (if he was
really elected) and now he has to forfeit everything and have
a stain on his name. A critical look at this scenario shows
that, you stand to loose everything if you are dishonest.
The leaders in the Niger Delta region have not really helped
in bringing peace and development to the region. Almost all the
former Governor’s have been accused of looting the treasury.
If the people of the region do not have confidence in their
leaders, how then can peace and development come to the
region.
Another event that caught my attention was the announcement
of the Minister of State for Niger Delta, Mr. Godswill Orubebe.
The minister immediately held meetings with leaders from the
region to enlighten them on the plans of the President for the
region. The Minister is from Delta State in the Niger Delta. This
is very commendable and will go a long way in restoring the
confidence of the people of the region of the Government’s
commitment to actualizing the development of the region.
The problem of the Niger Delta is not basically about infrastructure,
though this is critical and very important as well. The youths who
have taken the laws into their hands were forced to do this when
they saw that their land was being polluted and little or nothing comes
to them in form of development from the Government as well as the
oil companies in the region.
I believe that hostage taking was a way to get the attention of the
Government. After some time, it became a source of income for
the youths. They discovered that hostage taking could be profitable.
So it became a means of getting daily bread for most of the youths
in the region. The heavy military presence as well as Governments
efforts has not been able to bring lasting peace to the region.
The youths who are actively involved in causing unrest in the region
must be given an alternative source of income. There has to be re-
orientation as well as a rehabilitation program. They should be
informed of the possibilities that exist to make money legitimately
without cutting corners or holding people to ransom. We could build
beautiful cities that will be burnt down again if the main issue is not
checked. The people have to be changed for the region to change.
An average young man from Warri or Port Harcourt wants to be
able to buy a car and leave in a flat as soon as he leaves school.
He has options to make it big if he can master mind the kidnapping
of an expertraite or a family member of a top politician. This thought
line has to be changed. We must understand that anything that starts
from the top will go under. We must take gradual steps towards
building lasting wealth and that is by adding value. I hope that this
new ministry will identify the root causes of the Niger Delta problem
and tackle it once and for all.
Emore thanks very much for bringing this at this time …This region in Nigeria need an urgent reform, Our leaders, the people need to be reformed…I was in class about a week ago watching some of the posted video of the region on internet “youtube”……Its painful…..I felt bad and crying…..This is shamefull…..as during my stay in Nigeria, i was not opportuned to visit this critical area as am from one of the Niger delta state.
Our Leaders need a reform too not the poor massses of this region that need reform but our leader.
No Water
No Road
No House
No Safety of life and properties and they keep decieving the poeple….am crying now………….Our leaders that does not lead right, shame on you alll!!!!!…
I rest my case……….
Brosie,
You have it the nail on the head. The real issues have to be addressed from the root. May God give our leaders the heart to rule and the followers the heart to vote right subsequently.
Oluyemi Adeosun
http://www.yemiadeosun.blogspot.com
A very good one Ogho, but i beg to disagree on some points you raised. Firstly, Igbenedion did not lose all he acquired. There is nothing to confirm that. What the court ordered to be seized was what was known at the time of his trial. More or less, what he wants them to know. He paid his fine in cash right there in the court room, so ……
Secondly on the Niger Delta issue in which you pointed out that the youths took the law into their hands after been forsaken by the government and oil companies. I disagree. The amount that has been accruing to the region from the federal government and from excess crude oil earnings is more than enough to start a meaningful development in that region. I think those to held responsible for the abject neglect of the place are the leaders of the communities themselves. A number of shady deals go on in the region over land rights between the leaders of the communities and oil companies. Even though i will have to concede that the government is also responsible to a certain extent, it will not be possible without the connivance of the leaders of the regions!
In as much as they might have been shortchanged in anyway, a popular adage says “half bread is better than none” i believe in my heart of hearts that the youths, and leaders of the Niger Delta region had a choice of what to do. They choose not to take responsibility for their future hence chose to pass the buck and fight over what should not.
Cheers!
@ Sam: I really appreciate your comments, however it really doesn’t matter if Igbinedion looses all or some of the loot, but the main point is that he has earned himself a bad name and lost the confidence of the people not for himself alone but every one who answers that name.
The Niger Delta issue can be viewed from different angles, though the leaders have their own share of the blame, that does not justify kidnapping and the mayhem being caused by some youths.