The Niger Delta War: on what Basis?

That the Niger Delta has become Nigeria’s headache is no news but what is worrisome is that the Federal Government has decided to apply the use of force in bringing about sanity in the region. In resorting to the use of force, the Federal Government sent a clear signal to the world that it had lost faith in the use of diplomacy to and other peaceful approaches to try to end the conflict rocking the region.

The people of Niger Delta no doubt have genuine reasons but the criminal undertone of the method is what many people consider very unpopular because if allowed would definitely undermine the good cause which the people of the region stand for. Legitimizing criminality in return for justice or development of a sort is utterly a wrong priority which no government will tolerate.

However, much of the blame lies with the Federal Government, the chief pilot of the national affairs of the nation. Over the decades the region of Nigeria Delta meant nothing to them yet it is this very region that lays the golden eggs that feed the nation. Long neglect has grounded the region in poverty and gross underdevelopment. It is unimaginably inglorious to reason that a region from where trillions of dollars accrue is like an abandoned cage for demons.

Interestingly, it was money generated from this region that was used in building Abuja, Festac town and many state capitals of the nation, yet the people of Niger Delta have nothing compared to Abuja today is one of the most impressively beautiful cities of the world. The idea of the establishment and relocation of the nation’s capital was too sudden, unwarranted, abysmal and economically indefensible but the joy of oil in the Niger Delta strengthened the idea.

Today, the situation of the Niger Delta is presenting the nation with violence instead of peace and regret rather than appreciation. It has also earned it international outrage. This is worsened with the abrupt decisions of the Federal Government to go to war with its own people and it’s our land which is an indication of a house divided against itself. It is unfortunate that rather than seek the development of the region, large sums of amount are being expended to further cause destruction in the region.

This causes us to ask whether war is a solution in this context. Our own members of the House of Representatives which initially gave their support to the war have made a u-turn which is quite typical of Nigerians. Are they really democratic?

As the war rages concerns are on women, children, orphans, destitute and generally the less privileged who ordinarily should have been protected by the same government. This is why we call on the government to end the meaningless war and seek relevant developmental policies and values to better the lives of the people and the region in general.