Continued from Wednesday
But are you convinced that Jonathan means well for Nigeria?
Even the greatest critics of President Jonathan agree that he means well for Nigeria. Sanusi Lamido, suspended CBN Governor, even attested to it that Mr. President means well. I am convinced beyond doubt that Mr. President means well for Nigeria. He is the father of the nation and so far I am of the opinion that he has managed the affairs of Nigeria to the best of his ability and based on information available to him to make critical decisions.
Do you not think the issue of Boko Haram is bent towards politics and for President Jonathan being there as the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria?
So many people in the Niger Delta area are of this opinion, and they hold on to it very strongly; many times I have been confronted with this question, and my response has always been the same; time will tell. It will be unfortunate for Nigeria for the Boko Haram nonsense not to stop now; given all the approaches already taken by government. If it outlives the Jonathan administration and suddenly loses tempo and intensity whenever power transmits to another region, that day I pray never comes but if it does, it will be unfortunate for Nigeria, because some people will draw conclusion and may likely react.
And do we need to politize security?
We necessarily don’t have to, but can we really draw a line between security and politics? The law as at today places the security agencies effectively under the control of politicians whose stock in trade is politics. Politicians see and analyse everything through the eyes of politics.
How do you advise the citizens to push for peaceful co-existence and good leadership in the country?
The ongoing National Conference is the best avenue for Nigerians to arrive at a national consensus. With a binding national consensus, Nigeria can start to dismantle those cleavages that divide us and strengthen those bonds that unify us as people with a common heritage spanning 100 years.
Would you compare or equate the Boko Haram crisis to that of the Niger Delta?
No. There is no basis for comparison. If there is a basis, the template used in addressing the Niger Delta debacle would have been used to address the Boko Haram madness; but as you can see, it has been tried and it failed. So they are far and wide apart.
Has the demand and aspiration of the Niger Delta people been met with the peace in the region the national economic rebound engendered by the amnesty process?
What you must understand is that if human demands are insatiable and human aspiration are limitless, then what do you expect of the demands and aspirations of the Niger Delta People? Of course our wants and aspirations are bound to be insatiable and limitless. Most Nigerians and foreigners alike think that with amnesty programme and a son of the Niger Delta becoming president, all the problems associated with the Niger Delta region are solved, but that is not the truth. The problems are still there and have been compounded by the fact that our brother is the president; our hands are tied and our voices sealed because we don’t want to give politicians fuel to derail the Federal Government.
The issues that took us to the creeks are still there; the environment is still in a state of abject degradation; the East-West Road, if not for recent efforts has been in a comatose state; the coastal road is a forgotten issue; oil spills here and there. We did not bargain for the presidency as a demand of the Niger Delta struggle; it was a Greek gift given to the Niger Delta to pacify us so that the exploitation of our people and resources will continue unabated. Even though we accepted it because, as a people we are qualified for the presidency by virtue of our being part of the Nigerian commonwealth and also because we have a qualified person to take up the office. So to that extent while it is a fact that the amnesty programme has given impetus for the rebound of the oil and gas economy and put more money into the Federal Government purse and brought about fiscal stability; it has not addressed the core demands of the Niger Delta people. Our irreducible minimum expectations have not been met.
How do you see to the amnesty phase III? How effective is it?
To be frank with you, I really don’t understand what amnesty phase III is all about. So, I cannot gauge its efficacy or otherwise.
But ex-militants in phase III, particularly those from Urhobo and Itsekiri, say they are marginalised. What is your take as a true son of Urhobo?
Though I empathise with the Urhobo, my hometown is Ezetu in Southern Ijaw of Bayelsa State; that makes me Ijaw by tribe. There is a kind of misconception about the amnesty programme. It is not for every ethnic group in the Niger Delta to say they were not included or are being marginalised! It is for those youths that engaged in the Niger Delta armed struggle. I personally do not like or subscribe to tribal division in the Niger Delta; but I can tell you that those youths, Urhobo, Itesekiri, Kwale, Isoko, Edo, Yoruba, Hausa, Igbo, Fulani, Idoma, Igala, Nupe and others of various ethnic groups that one way or the other participated in the Niger Delta struggle and accepted the amnesty programme are the intended and genuine beneficiaries of the amnesty. Not even all Ijaw youths are beneficiaries of the amnesty programme because not all Ijaw youths participated in the struggle. Amnesty is for ex-agitators who sacrificed their time and comfort for the greatness of the region; it is not based on ethnic quota.
The remains of General John Togo of the Niger Delta Liberation Force (NDLF) is still under security guard at the Warri General Hospital. What effort has the ex-militants made to bring him home for heroic burial?
Let us put into proper perspective for the sake of history events that led to the death of John Togo. He served in my camp and after the amnesty, which he took; I personally took him to Delta State Government House and got him introduced to Governor Uduaghan, his state governor. He severally complained about some unfulfilled expectations about the amnesty programme and I always told him to be patience, but some of our boys thought that the Federal Government had given us a blank cheque and that as leaders we have unlimited access to the treasury. Forgetting that the Niger Delta struggle is and was a combination of effort and resolve of people; some of them in violation of their amnesty oath went back to the creeks and sought to reopen the crisis. The outcome was what it is, though unfortunate, people must know that they will be responsible for their actions. Therefore, I urge all our youths to be patience and work with their leadership and the government. The Niger Delta struggle is not a one-man struggle, and it is not a struggle that is undertaken without the blessing and support of the people and the gods. As for heroic burial, it is for the Niger Delta people to determine if he merits a heroic burial or if he is to be considered a Niger Delta hero.
What are your last words?
I want to appeal to all Nigerians to embrace peace and work for peace in all they do and say. As Nigerians, we can only make progress in an atmosphere of peace, though we have negative peace; with our resolve we can achieve positive peace. Just as I supported the Yar’Adua administration, so also I am supporting the Jonathan Administration; so all Nigerians irrespective of tribe and religion should support our President and work for peace. They should do so for the sake of their children and our collective future as Nigerians.
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