Ijaw Nation: The Beautiful Bride Must Negotiate 2027 Ijaw Interest From The Position of Strength
By Wisdom Oniekpar Ikuli – The cyclical theories of history that are intended to explain recurring events and patterns in human history state that “events, human behaviour, including the rise and fall of civilizations repeat in predictable, recurring patterns”.
I decided to start this piece with the above introduction because good students of history will agree with me that prevalent political developments and realities are showing that Nigeria is drifting.
Drifting in this context generally refers to moving slowly or aimlessly without control or a fixed destination, carried along by a natural force such as wind, water, or circumstances.
Events that led to the fall and collapse of the First Republic are about to play out again.
During the first republic, political parties were tribal, regional, and ethnic based.
The Yorubas had the Action Group (AG) that was led by Chief Obafemi Awolowo and Chief Samuel Akintola.
The Hausa-Fulanis had the Northern People’s Congress (NPC) that was led by Sir Ahmadu Bello the Sarduana Sokoto and Sir Alhaji Abubakar Tafawa Balewa.
Igbos had the National Council of Nigerian Citizens (NCNC) that was led by Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe and Chief Michael Okpara.
Northern minorities had the United Middle Belt Congress (UMBC) that was led by Chief Joseph S. Tarka and others.
While the geographic Niger Delta region now South South geopolitical zone had the Niger Delta Congress (NDC) that was founded and led by High Chief Harold Dappa-Biriye who later recruited Chief (Sen) Dr Melford Obiene Okilo CFR, the only person that won a seat in the NDC to represent Brass Federal Constituency at the then National Assembly when Nigeria was operating a parliamentary system of government.
The prevalent political developments and realities are following the same pattern and sequence.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, a Yoruba man is contesting under the All Progressive Congress (APC).
Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, a Fulani who is representing Hausa-Fulanis is contesting under African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Mr. Peter Gregory Obi, an Igbo man is contesting under Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).
So, where is the place of the Ijaw Nation that is the fourth largest tribe in Nigeria?
Yorubas, Hausa-Fulanis and Igbos who masquerade under the divisive, deceptive, destructive and distractive banner and umbrella of “WAZOBIA” all have their candidates who shall sit at the negotiation table at the appropriate time (2027), where is Ijaw?
The political class in Ijaw land must act fast and smart too.
Where are the intellectuals and activists who are supposed to be speaking on behalf of the Ijaw Nation to Nigerians and the International community?
Since 1956 when crude oil and gas were first discovered in the whole of West Africa in Ijaw land precisely at Oloibiri-Otabagi in present-day Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, Ijaw Nation have been feeding and carrying the whole economic burden of Nigeria without commensurate rewards.
Ijaw Nation own well over 65% of the crude oil and gas which is the mainstay of Nigeria’s mono-economy.
Vast quantities of the crude oil and gas in Abia, Akwa Ibom, Delta, Edo, Ondo, Imo and Rivers states are deposited and domiciled within Ijaw territories.
But how are Ijaws treated in those states and in the Nigerian state in general?
Instead of Ijaws fighting themselves and living “I pass my Ijaw brother” lifestyle, they should put on their thinking cap.
This is time for them to strategize. This is time for them to unite the whole Ijaw Nation to forge a common front. This is not time to betray Ijaw brothers and the Ijaw Nation because of crumbs and peanuts.
Nigeria would have become history and gone into extinction during the civil war, but for the strategic and significant unification roles that Ijaw Nation played by liberating the oil rich Niger Delta, that was the centre of contextation.
Again, Nigeria would have become history in 2015 if President Goodluck Jonathan GCON, GCFR had not made the unquantifiable sacrifice and strategic role that he played.
The ominous drum is sounding again from afar.
Ijaws should behave like the sons of Issachar who understood the times (1 Chronicles 12:32).
While Ijaw Nation is blessed with abundant human and natural resources, it is time for Ijaw Nation to put together a vibrant team of THINK TANKS that will work with the INC, IYC, Ijaw Traditional Rulers, Religious leaders and the political class to strategize and plan to promote, project and protect Ijaw economic and political interests.
While it is important for Ijaws to spread out into APC, ADC, PDP, NDC and other available political parties, but they should also ensure that they have a representative and a vocal voice who will also sit on the negotiation table alongside President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (APC), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar (ADC) and Mr. Peter Obi (NDC).
Ijaw Nation is the beautiful bride. It is above the sarcastic description about goose that lays the golden egg.
If Ijaw Nation can be feeding over 350 tribes and ethnic groups since 1956 till date, it should also enjoy priority treatment and not to continue to play second fiddle.
Wisdom Oniekpar Ikuli, Mirror and Conscience of Society wrote this piece titled Ijaw Nation: The Beautiful Bride Must Negotiate 2027 Ijaw Interest From The Position of Strength from Yenagoa.
