The Niger Delta crisis has been a major talking point among interested observers as of late. But in all this discussion, there are some truths that have yet to be told.
The trouble in this region, in the far south of Nigeria, took root with the foundation of modern Nigeria in the 1960s. Some years before independence, significant deposits of oils were discovered in the area, affecting the sentiments of colonial Britain towards its prized west African possession.
This went hand-in-hand with an orientation to mistrust between politicians from the country’s three largest tribes – the Igbo, Yoruba and Hausa/Fulani – which set the tone for the collapse of Nigeria’s first republic.
The present day Niger Delta region comprises nine of the country’s 36 states, crafted in the aftermath of a devastating civil war which also saw the emergence of a military elite, peopled by unpatriotic characters who are only interested in carting away the oil dollars with the help of their foreign partners.
Later, as international support for dictatorships began to wane, they changed tactics by morphing into civilian rulers. Meanwhile, they structured government institutions with bias and sponsored a constitution without the people’s approval. Throughout, these men ruled without love for the prosperity of Nigeria and its people.
It is important, therefore, that the world is witnessing events today in this sleeping giant of Africa. It is also important that the truth is told about my country without fear or favour, as Chinua Achebe wrote: “Until the lions have their own historians, the history of the hunt will always glorify the hunter.”
But why is the Niger Delta becoming increasingly restless now? It’s the culmination of myriad problems ranging from poverty to corruption, the rise of gangs, ethnic tensions and tribalism, mutual distrust, the absence of the rule of law and human rights abuses.
First, the institutions that grease the wheels of Nigeria’s nascent democracy are not friendly to the people. As President Obama pointed out rightly, Nigeria has strong men instead of institutions that keep check on all.
Trillions of dollars have been wasted by a group of old military rulers and their praise singers, one fraudulent means after other. Some of them are individually richer than many countries, while their own people wallow in penury.
Secondly, the issue of poverty and greed has continued to stir anger among natives of the Niger Delta, especially seeing the black gold taken from under their feet as basic amenities remain a luxury in many parts of the region. At the same time, their natural environment – which is the source of livelihood – continues to suffer from pollution at the hands of oil companies who partner in the loot.
The greed of the top brass, determined to stick to business as usual in ‘democractic’ Nigeria, has also led to the propping up of new armed gangs – kidnappers and saboteurs with fearsome reputations – which are used to intimidate and kill voters, activists and all those who stand in their way.
The grave problems in the Niger Delta have contributed immensely to the stunted growth of Nigeria as a whole. But as with all problems, there may be a solution to Nigeria’s mess…
Ukachukwu Okorie is originally from Nigeria and writes weekly for Metro Éireann. Visit his website at www.olumouka.com
