₦airaland Forum

TonyeBarcanista:
The South-South or "Niger Delta" is the region that is rich in mineral and human resources. It is the most misunderstood region that has experienced the worst form of marginalisation within the Nigeria State and suffered environmental pollution. It consists of over 40 ethnic groups which include; Bini, Efik, Urhobo, Ogoni, Ijaw etc within the six states that makes up the region (Edo, Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross river states).

Who Should Speak For The Niger-Delta
I want to state that no single ethnic group within or outside the region has the authority to speak on behalf of the entire region. However, people of the region have co-existed for centuries, some ethnic groups even trace their ancestry to common 'ancestor'. As a proud Nigerian from the Niger Delta extraction, I considered it wise to bring to the fore the demands of ethnic nationalities with respect to their respective declarations and bill of rights.

WHAT NIGER-DELTANS WANT:
1. Autonomy/Resource Control:
This is the Demand-in-Chief of all ethnic nationalities in the region within the Nigeria state. Ogoni nation in paragraph 20 of Ogoni Bill of Right(1991) demand for control of resources within Ogoni land. Similarly, paragraphs 3 of Urhobo Declaration(1998), 10 of Ijaw/Kaiama Declaration (1998), 4 of Ikwere Rescue Charter(1999), 5 of Oron Bill of Right (1999) and 53 of Itsekiri Memorandum(2012) all call for Regional Autonomy and control of resources that lies within their respective lands, while paying an agreed percentage to the Federal/Central Government.

2. Abolishment of Land Use Act(1978) and Other Laws:
All ethnic nationalities within the Niger-Delta were unanimous in their demand for the abolishment of Petroleum Act of 1969 and 1991, the National Waterways Decree of 1977, the Land Use Act of 1978 and 1993, and Supreme Court ruling of April 5, 2002. This demand is found in the declarations/bill of rights of each ethnic groups.

3. Cooperation Among Ethnic Nations:
Ethnic nations within the Niger-Delta are peaceful and law abiding people. Despite difference in tribes and tongues, the pledge for peaceful cohabitation with other groups within and outside the region is one that is held so dear. A look at the declaration/bill of rights by all ethnic groups will give a picture that all nationalities are in solidarity and pledges to work with each other. Ikwerre people expressed solidarity with "all oppressed peoples in Nigeria in their just struggle for justice and equity." Similarly, Urhobo call for "full cooperation not conflict among nationalities". Ijaws in their declaration offer a hand of friendship and comradeship to the Itsekiri, Ilaje, Urhobo, Isoko, Edo, Ibibio, Ogoni, Ekpeye, Ikwerre etc. They also affirm commitment to joint struggle with the other ethnic nationalities in the Niger delta area for self-determination and expressed "solidarity with all peoples, organisations and ethnic nationalities in Nigeria and elsewhere who are struggling for self-determination and justice"

4. Niger-Deltans Not In Conflict:
Make no mistake, ethnic nations within Niger-Delta are not in conflict. Ethnic nationalities within the Niger Delta have realised that the present structure in Nigeria and the multi-national companies are responsible for setting ethnic nations against each other. In Warri for instance, the Ijaws, Urhobos and Itsekiri have lived together since the 15th century without rancour or war. But in 1997, Abacha relocated the Hq of Warri South-West LG from Ogbe-Ijaw(in Ijaw area) to Ogidigben (Itsekiri area). This singular action precipitated riots and then ethnic war between the two groups. In a situation of fiscal federalism/autonomy, such wouldn't have even been. The People Are Wise! On September 29 2014, the Ijaw Youth Council and Ikwerre Youth Council vowed to work together because the two ethnic groups have "common destiny". They realised the scheme of oil firms to exploit their lands while setting them against each other. www.thetidenewsonline.com/2014/09/29/ijaw-ikwerre-youth-unite-against-oil-firms/

All through the Midwest/Bendel/Benin Empire, the ethnic nations never went to war against each other. Today, God in His divine Wisdom has brought these people of the SIX states together. The unity and bond is stronge than ever.

5. Niger-Delta Is Not Hating On Anybody:
In the declarations of the various ethnic nationalities within the Niger-Delta, no mention of hate against any group was made. The oppressor is the Nigeria system and multinational companies and NOT the tribe of office holders. Hence, the call for the convocation of Soveriegn National Conference. This position I believe is shared by other groups as testified in the respective declarations. Niger-Deltans may be dissatisfied with the present structure of Nigeria(like everyone else) but they DON'T hate Nigeria. They only want it restructured for the good of all.

6. Niger Delta "Is" A Majority Group:
By the grace of God, the unity of the Niger-Delta has made the people a collective majority group in Nigeria despite the minority status/population of the respective ethnic nations that make up the region. The people of Niger-Delta are equal in unity whether Efik, Ika, Itsekiri, Ibibio, Ekpeye, Ikwerre, Bini, Esan, Ogoni, Ijaw etc. Despite the unity, they recognise and respect respective ethnic distinctiveness. The resolve to see to the actualisation of the noble demands within the Nigeria State is unshakable. By the Grace of God, the demand for restructuring shall come to fruition for the benefit of all Niger-Deltans and the Nigeria State.



May God Bless Niger-Delta
May God Bless Nigeria

pegolala:
gutsun uwar ka.

Oguieke:
rivers is pdp, pdp is biafran party. Say no to alimajiri party

bugzbunny:
You have eyes but u can't see
These islamists want to cripple Pdp states with fake tribunal.. Rivers and akwa ibom on their target.. Is dat democracy?... Apc cannot win in rivers under any guise.. We won't take it

Icecomrade:

Boko Haram and Fullani herdsmen will kill your entire family and ur entire generation for praying for the death of another human.

The same prayer goes to those who likes your wish too

May God answer my Prayer.

anigbajumo:
If it is peaceful protest,it is absurd for military to shoot them.shun tribalism nd let say the fact......

Hw will dey shoot innocent Nigerian jst like that?No no no,dat is not good enough.