Like Joe Igbokwe, I Too See War, But Not Just In the Niger-Delta
ON May 10, 2016 10:55 PM / IN
News , Viewpoint / Comments
By Demola Olarewaju
The narrative of the last election was deliberately made simple to fool the simpleminded: portray Nigeria as a ship heading for the bottom of the ocean unless the captain of the ship is removed because that captain was corrupt, unable to secure the land and the economy was also spiralling out of his control. In the aftermath of that electoral mutiny spurred by the greatest and most ideologically diverse members of the ruling elite since 1960, the captain was removed and anothercaptain put in command. Ever since then however, the worst fears have been realised particularly in the economy, subliminally with security and apparently with the unity of Nigeria. President Goodluck Jonathan was referred to as the “Ijaw Christian”
President under whose watch Boko Haram was growing. In choosing General Muhammadu Buhari as its presidential flagbearer, the APC sought to capitalise on the natural ethnic and religious divisions of Nigeria as a country. By making Professor Yemi Osinbajo, a Pentecostal Pastor his running mate, the gambit was complete. If some had thought that Boko Haram would go away with the election of a President of Fulani ethnicity, I am sure they never envisaged the greater danger of roving marauders whom we are often reminded not to call Fulani Herdsmen.
Mr. Joe Igbokwe is a spokesman of the APC in Lagos State but one expect a man of his standing to either tell truths or maintain a ghostly silence rather than engage in half-truths; the realm of which his last article dwells in. Igbokwe by refraining from telling the whole truth sends an obscure message to the powers that be and history must remember him as one of those who provided intellectual justification for any carnage that thereafter follows.
Of course Igbokwe is not an unwilling megaphone of his political interests – he worked assiduously for the emergence of the Buhari government and should find political reward. To do so at the price of Whole Truths when telling it all can foster solutions to national problems and abstaining from them as he did can bring death and carnage in the short-term as well as destroy national unity in the long-term is not only sad but wicked. To do so in direct negation of a position previously held (until the coming of #Change) demands that students of history respond with clear minds and consign the silly position of men like Joe Igbokwe to the dustbin of history where it rightly belongs.
Igbokwe says: “I have preached justice, equity and fair play for the people of the Niger Delta but 17 years after, I am beginning to have a rethink about the inhabitants of the Niger Delta and their antics”.
The Change that makes a man revoke his position of 17 years must be a Change that he hopes to benefit from and APC is full of them – last year it was Rotimi Amaechi who at his Senate screening when asked about his position on Resource Control said that he had been an advocate of it in times past but a recent visit to a far Eastern country had made him revise his position as he now no longer believes in it. Amaechi was rewarded with a Ministerial portfolio, far more than Igbokwe can hope for.
Where Igbokwe’s faulty thought process falters is that he failed (or deliberately ignores) to understand that concept of justice, equity and fair play goes beyond throwing money at a problem and hoping it would go away. He describes the agitations of the Niger-Delta as ‘blackmail’ against former Presidents Obasanjo, Yar’Adua and Jonathan then carefully attributes Jonathan with giving oil wells and so on to Niger-Delta indigenes to placate them.
If this is Igbokwe’s definition of justice that has made him revoke his former stand then perhaps he needs to be schooled – and I say this respectfully.
The issue of the Niger-Delta goes far beyond social rehabilitation which was only the placing of band-aid on a deep gash, a treatment of ringworm while leprosy festers on the skin.
Justice and equity for the Niger-Delta goes beyond the Amnesty Programme and even beyond the election or rejection of a President from the Niger-Delta. It is a problem to which we in the Southwest have always had a solution, which if Joe Igbokwe had been thoroughly educated in this school of political thought, he would have readily hit on as the solution to any problem that emanates from the Niger-Delta. We can of course blame Igbokwe’s schoolmaster – Bola Tinubu – for this gradeschool thinking at the tertiary level. Tinubu in merging the ACN with the CPC to win federal power also had to chuck out the progressive syllabus handbook and embrace feudalist thoughts.
Fortunately, some of us although younger studied at the feet of their masters – my learning in late Bola Ige’s thoughts helps my mind to see through the haziness of the Igbokwe’s of this world. Ige once said “There is nobody outside the Niger-Delta who is a bigger friend of the Niger-Delta than myself”. Indeed, he also said that “God who put oil beneath the ground of the South-South knew it would cause some damage to their land” in advocating for greater responsibility from the Nigerian state to the Niger-Delta. Even when Ige served under a PDP government which had a cacophony of voices for and against Resource Control, Ige tried to force a national dialogue on the matter by going to the Supreme Court to determine the issue under the guise of littoral states.
Igbokwe verbally urges Buhari to go to war in the Niger-Delta. If Igbokwe assumes that a war in the Niger-Delta would help Nigeria then he is perhaps actually just a terrible student of Tinubu’s school of politics and I apologise to his schoolmaster – some students just do not pay attention as even Bola Tinubu can never think this way. Igbokwe continues the trajectory of this government which is divisive (97% versus 5%, Wailers versus Hailers etc) – an ironic fulfilment of the prediction that Jonathan would divide Nigeria, now being fulfilled under Buhari.
Igbokwe’s article is the most dangerous type of prophecy (in the Hebrew sense of the word as “truth-telling) – he mixes and exaggerates his truth which has been carefully subtracted from the truth. One can agree when he says that elders from the Niger-Delta should call the Avengers to order, but to ignore the larger question is to postpone the evil day and to encourage madness which my generation will ultimately reap, long after the sowers of violence and the intellectual justifiers of their actions are dead and buried. As one of many diverse thinkers in my generation, Igbokwe’s
The concept of Justice, Equity and Fair Play to the Niger-Delta may involve things like the Amnesty Programme or electing and rejecting a Niger-Deltan as President but the ultimate solution to such and other crises in Nigeria is True Federalism. Unless a system of equitable distribution of resources is evolved to force every part of Nigeria and every state to look inwards and utilise their best resources, issues will continue to provide moral justification for groups like the Avengers – even if their actions are wrong and condemnable. True Federalism is the ultimate justice to the Niger-Delta and this shouldn’t be hard to achieve as Igbokwe profusely tries to explain that every part of Nigeria contributes one thing or the other and so the Niger-Delta had no reason to feel responsible for bearing the fiscal burden of the federation.
Funnily, there is also another truth beside this one. The truth is that divisive Presidents bring out the worst divisions in any multi-ethnic country. By failing to unite the country after a divisive election where the vanquished incumbent left without fanfare and continues to urge support for his successor in the war against Boko Haram, the Buhari Government continues to fan the flames of division rather than seeking unity and now, that opportunity may have been missed. Many political watchers expected that Niger-Delta response to a Goodluck Jonathan defeat would be violence but this government had a period of close to a year to embrace unity in the South-South at least, yet it chose to ‘unlook’ and keep playing the arrogant and all-conquering victor. And in case some truant student still doesn’t get it, let’s break it down and give them some tips:
What would it cost Buhari to go to Otuoke in Bayelsa and visit with former President Jonathan? Is Mr. President so insecure that he feels this would make Jonathan feel important or that someone up north would think him weak? Such a symbolic move would go a long way to defuse tensions as these issues are not only a problem of multi-ethnic countries but also of political issues.
Mr. President would do well to for once remember that this is 2016 and much water has flowed under the bridge since the days when he fought the civil war. An all-out assault on the Niger-Delta would find sympathy for the Niger-Delta outside the Niger-Delta and even internationally. Not every Niger-Deltan supports this violence but war in the Niger-Delta wouldn’t endear him to the people. Statesmen do not reach for guns as a first option but if men like Joe Igbokwe continue to encourage Mr. President’s natural tendencies, then I too see war but not just in the Niger-Delta.
I see a war in Mile 12 where Hausas/Fulanis and Yorubas clashed recently over a minor motorcycle incident. I see another war in Akure where a foremost Yoruba leader was not only kidnapped but has had his farmland attacked severally, resulting in the death of an OPC member. I see another war in places across the north where Shia Muslims now feel a greater sense of being besieged. I see a war in some Eastern parts where IPOB protesters have been killed and in Enugu where farmlands have been ravaged. I see a war in Agatu but that war already happened on the watch of this President with many dead but not a single person arrested.
When citizens feel a sense of being second class in their own country and some feel superior to them, either by actions or inactions of Government, any eyes can see wars.
Even if your name is Joe Igbokwe and the war may one day extend to our individual doorstep.
Demola Olarewaju is a Lagos-based Public Affairs Commentator and Strategist.

Epic.


Note, that Joe Igbokwe is an Idio.t he has no place here in Igboland.

He has never won his polling boot for his party, and in the last election APC scored 0 in his polling boot.
This alone should tell you he is an Idio..t

mtchew! when did Igbokwe opinions become national policies? He was simply warning the elders of ND to call the criminals called Avengers- avenging only God knows what- to order. The era of blackmailing the federal government to submit money is gone. We want jobs, potable water, working refineries and chemical companies, safe environment s and not another Sunny Kuku, Asari or Tompolo using us to steal for themselves..e no go work again hence any criminal guise of fighting for ND shall be treated as terrorism and shall be adressed the way BH and Herdsmen attack are being treated - full military option. Those days are gone when we naively supported the ND struggle only for some selfish individuals to enrich themselves alone...who they epp?

Excellent piece of commentary. The type that shuts and knocks you off.

The Niger-delta Avengers is acting like a criminal and terrorist organisation by destroying facilities and government installations. They would soon be put on the same pedestal with the marauding herdsmen and boko haram. Whatever they are agitating for can be brought to the table and discussed about or they can carry out peaceful protests and shut down the exploration of oil located in their corner of the country. If they feel they are not getting a fair deal from Nigeria(which they are not!) They can choose to leave this hardly-cemented fragments and contraption(and not drown with the rest of us, still in it), if negotiations fail.


That said, Joe Igbokwe has consistently proven to be that mad man without restraints who brings eternal shame to his relatives and comic relief to the public. I read his submission and cringed in repulsion. The article was like the vomit of a poorly fed and rabies carrying eku-uke dog. It was very rich in effluvium and miasma. It had no taste and done in bad taste. He went as far as calling the entire Niger-deltans names and insulting the hell out of them, while pretending to have been their friend in the past . Pray what changed his perspective? A change in their condition? The APC coming into government? Or Lai Mohammed's vacant lot as APC national spokesperson?

Old Joe is a crab with a stomach and no head. He works to fill his stomach and not to enrich his head because he has none. This is why most of his submissions are inspired by the condition of his stomach. Let us not forget that like a crab, he has many legs supporting his famed stomach and with which he changes directions, positions and targets. Yesterday, it was his own brothers from the east; today, the niger-deltans; and who knows where his many legs and stomach-of-many-appetites willl channel his energy tomorrow.

A man like Igbokwe should not be paid any attention because whenever he opens his mouth, it is either to receive or to give up waste(for that is where he disposes waste from). Like a bat, another animal he shares close affinity with, he hangs upside down and lets the world have a dose of what his masters graciously fed him with.

If someone like Ngige who was roundly loved by his people can lose election just because of his relationship with some set of people & also lose his goodwill.
I wonder where a person like Joe Igbokwe will be when this government goes out of power or when Lagos state APC will kick him out. Mr Joe Igbokwe knows very well that once APC congress is held he is going to be kicked out of lagos APC.

Those who betray us should remain where they are today.

I dont support NDA but are there no reason for their demand? Buhari should bend down like Yaradua and go for complete solution to Niger Delta problems.

OBJ wiped out Odi that didnt stop the agitation.

This government want to give amnesty to to terorists while it is going on to fight a people for the blessings God placed in their land.

I am waiting to see how Nigerian military will destroy Niger Delta Avengers.

Joe Igbokwe should never think of ever coming east again, he should remain in the west.

DIKEnaWAR:
The Niger-delta Avengers is acting like a criminal and terrorist organisation by destroying facilities and government installations. They would soon be put on the same pedestal with the marauding herdsmen and boko haram. Whatever they are agitating for can be brought to the table and discussed about or they can carry out peaceful protests and shut down the exploration of oil located in their corner of the country. If they feel they are not getting a fair deal from Nigeria(which they are not!) They can choose to leave this hardly-cemented fragments and contraption(and not drown with the rest of us, still in it), if negotiations fail.


That said, Joe Igbokwe has consistently proven to be that mad man without restraints who brings eternal shame to his relatives and comic relief to the public. I read his submission and cringed in repulsion. The article was like the vomit of a poorly fed and rabies carrying eku-uke dog. It was very rich in effluvium and miasma. It had no taste and done in bad taste. He went as far as calling the entire Niger-deltans names and insulting the hell out of them, while pretending to have been their friend in the past . Pray what changed his perspective? A change in their condition? The APC coming into government? Or Lai Mohammed's vacant lot as APC national spokesperson?

Old Joe is a crab with a stomach and no head. He works to fill his stomach and not to enrich his head because he has none. This is why most of his submissions are inspired by the condition of his stomach. Let us not forget that like a crab, he has many legs supporting his famed stomach and with which he changes directions, positions and targets. Yesterday, it was his own brothers from the east; today, the niger-deltans; and who knows where his many legs and stomach-of-many-appetites willl channel his energy tomorrow.

A man like Igbokwe should not be paid any attention because whenever he opens his mouth, it is either to receive or to give up waste(for that is where he disposes waste from). Like a bat, another animal he shares close affinity with, he hangs upside down and lets the world have a dose of what his masters graciously fed him with.

Dude u are mouthed.
Lol

Nobody reads long epistle. OP pls summarize biko

[s]

KissCODE:
If someone like Ngige who was roundly loved by his people can lose election just because of his relationship with some set of people & also lose his goodwill.
I wonder where a person like Joe Igbokwe will be when this government goes out of power or when Lagos state APC will kick him out. Mr Joe Igbokwe knows very well that once APC congress is held he is going to be kicked out of lagos APC.

Those who betray us should remain where they are today.

I dont support NDA but are there no reason for their demand? Buhari should bend down like Yaradua and go for complete solution to Niger Delta problems.

OBJ wiped out Odi that didnt stop the agitation.

This government want to give amnesty to to terorists while it is going on to fight a people for the blessings God placed in their land.

I am waiting to see how Nigerian military will destroy Niger Delta Avengers.

Joe Igbokwe should never think of ever coming east again, he should remain in the west.

[/s]

Govt can NEVER "bend down" for terrorists! Thats insane. The silly NDA have no legitimate claim whatsoever. By destroying govt facilities, they are only destroying their own land and environment. Soon all major oil companies will leave Niger Delta. They will only succeed in worsening their situation. Poverty, hunger and environmental devastation is the only end result!

allthingsgood:
[s][/s]

Govt can NEVER "bend down" for terrorists! Thats insane. The silly NDA have no legitimate claim whatsoever. By destroying govt facilities, they are only destroying their own land and environment. Soon all major oil companies will leave Niger Delta. They will only succeed in worsening their situation. Poverty, hunger and environmental devastation is the only end result!

this same government wants to grant amnesty boko haram members that have taken over 15000 lives and destroyed the whole NE, yet they cant nagotiate with a people they (government) have destroyed their land and source of livelyhood.
We lie & pretend so much in this country.
Niger Delta Avengers have nothing anymore to lose, they have already lost everything to oil exploration & neglet.

allthingsgood:


Negotiate on what?? don't come here to make silly noise.
Upon assuming office one of the President's first promises was to clean up the nigerdelta. Already resources have been set aside for this. The nigerdelta has its own ministry and a special agency solely dedicated to improving infrastructure and devt in the region. But no, FG didn't stop at that. Govt even offered to forgive the atrocities of these same militants, set up the amnesty program and has spent billions training these same hoodlums both at home and abroad. Pls which other region in this country has received even half of this attention.

Now tell me what the so called NDA are fighting for?? Instead the blow up pipeline that will destroy the same community the claim to be fighting for more. These are nothing but terrorists with no other objective than death and destruction. Except you want to tell me u are enjoying the long queues for fuel and constant black outs

The conspiracy theorist thinks Apc big wigs in the ND clamouring to be awarded the contract to secure oil facilities in the area are behind NDA.
There might just be some truth in that. Remember that when Tompolo held sway, there were no bombings, now that he is out of the pics, somebody else needs his job and it can only be an APC loyalist because the security forces have not proven to be able in that regard.

allthingsgood:

Negotiate on what?? don't come here to make silly noise.
Upon assuming office one of the President's first promises was to clean up the nigerdelta. Already resources have been set aside for this. The nigerdelta has its own ministry and a special agency solely dedicated to improving infrastructure and devt in the region. But no, FG didn't stop at that. Govt even offered to forgive the atrocities of these same militants, set up the amnesty program and has spent billions training these same hoodlums both at home and abroad. Pls which other region in this country has received even half of this attention.
Now tell me what the so called NDA are fighting for?? Instead the blow up pipeline that will destroy the same community the claim to be fighting for more. These are nothing but terrorists with no other objective than death and destruction. Except you want to tell me u are enjoying the long queues for fuel and constant black outs

I mostly choose to ignore comments like yours but I just have to educate you on some matters. Have you asked yourself many questions like

1. Are these people being fairly treated

2. Is amnesty the real thing?? If not what is the root cause of all these.

KILL A PROBLEM AT ITS ROOT AND IT DIES FOREVER.

Amnesty is just a quick fix and not the panacea to this long aged issue.

goto this link https://www.nairaland.com/3095657/why-must-change-status-quo

Note: The lands and water have always been polluted due to oil exploration in the region and what have subsequent governments done about it.

The region is the live wire of the country yet it's treated like a rabid dog in the event of things simply because it's a heterogeneous region that do not have one language hence treated as minorities.

I dare to say if the ND people's interests are adequately represented, and just half of what is spent on the militarisation of the creeks is spent on GENUINE COMMUNITY development not just stipends which enrich some and keep some poor, the ND people will personally protect these pipelines for FREE and I'll see the son of belial who will take a grenade up there to blow oil installments.

MILITARISING THE ND HAS NEVER WORKED AND WILL NEVER WORK!! BUT ONLY TRUE FEDERALISM CAN

Demola has always been a very brilliant and clear thinking young man, I wish he goes ahead to a higher leadership position.

He puts Joe in his place - arse licking for his APC masters. If the only thing Joe Igbokwe has to offer in this Nigeria's political discuss is to verbally urge Buhari to take a bloody war to the doostep of a whole region, just because a few elements were causing havoc, I bet Joe Igbokwe will sell his children for a morsel of meat when hunger strikes him.

allthingsgood:
[s][/s]

Govt can NEVER "bend down" for terrorists! Thats insane. The silly NDA have no legitimate claim whatsoever. By destroying govt facilities, they are only destroying their own land and environment. Soon all major oil companies will leave Niger Delta. They will only succeed in worsening their situation. Poverty, hunger and environmental devastation is the only end result!

Well said

I have nothing to add.