Power Rotation And Ethnic Nationalities

Justice and equity are fundamental in a civilised society. It has been said, times without number, that Nigeria’s greatest challenge is devising a pragmatic political formula of sharing power among its hundreds of ethnic groups. It is equally said that political integration has become elusive to us owing mainly to the circumstances, historical and otherwise, of our formation and emergence as a single political entity. “Power must be made to rotate among the various ethnic nationalities .. “(Mao Alulo). With focus on 2011, political struggles and maneuvering in Nigeria have begun, earnestly. In the centre of the political controversy at Delta State level is who become Governor of Delta State come 2011.The issue is should Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan be re-elected for second term? Does he deserve it? Shouldn’t other Governorship aspirants from other ethnic groups be elected to govern the State? This piece is a case for a person of character and capacity from Isoko ethnic nationality to be given the opportunity to govern Delta State come 2011. Isoko should no longer play second fiddle.

Why? The issue is not Governor Uduaghan as a person or whether his performance meets the expectations of other ethnic nationalities or not, rather rotating political offices turn by turn will enhance peace, harmony and development much more. If other ethnic groups are allowed to assume leadership of the State as Governor, there will be sense of belonging that will encourage all stakeholders in the entity called Delta State to work in harmony and enhance development to all ethnic group equitably. When political appointments are lopsided and dominated by a few majority ethnic groups; the minority ethnic group will feel marginalised. These will create divisive and unhealthy competition and political maneuvering that lead to breakdown of laws and order. Peace and development will be the casualty. Why I feel that an Isoko person should be given the opportunity to serve as Governor Inspite of Governor Uduaghan’s performance and right to second term constitutionally is this. God hates inequality, marginalisation and injustices. Leadership that carries all other ethnic groups along is what God advocate for in the Bible. Concerned Isoko and Ndokwa Professional Network recently in a press statement lament, “What offence the ethnic nationalities may have committed against the Federal and State governments to warrant the gross marginalisation and inequality in political appointments” as being experienced by them.

The group warned that the peace loving nature of the ethnic nationalities should not be taken for cowardice, adding, “since we reward only violence in this part of the country, it is hoped that this absolute neglect is not a clarion call to violence”. They said.

Chief James Ibori, an Urhobo was governor, the secretary to the government was an Itsekiri”. The two ministers appointed from Delta State during Chief James Ibori administration were from Ijaw and Itsekiri ethnic groups respectively. Ray Inije, who was appointed as Ambassador during that time, was Urhobo. The Commissioner who represented Delta State in NDDC during Ibori administration was from Ijaw. The Chairman and Secretary of newly created DESOPADEC are from Ijaw and Urhobo ethnic group among others. Another reason why an Isoko person should be given opportunity to rule Delta State is the contribution of Isoko nation to the development of the Nigeria nation and in particular Delta State deserves such concession. But why wouldn’t Deltans at least feel that it wouldn’t be too much of a concession to make for an Isoko person to contest in 2011? After all, Isoko nation had for so long been playing second fiddle over the years and has been severely marginalised and deprived.

Who will contribute to the wealth of a nation and not allowed to control or manage it over such long period of time? Isoko contributes over 75 percent of crude oil and gas, yet no infrastructure could be cited in that region. Isoko is only having two local governments with the population of over 2.5 million. Isoko was the second region to discover crude oil in 1959 after the major discovery of oil in Oloibiri. The high rate of unemployment among the Isoko youths has prompted many of our young school leavers to turn to okada riders and motor conductors. Isoko land produces some 14 million barrels of crude oil annually and this represents roughly 15% of the total production of Delta State. Isoko land is also rich in natural gas which abounds in Uzere and Olomoro fields. Inspite of this enormous contribution to the GDP, Isoko land has no industries; electricity supply is grossly inadequate while only a few roads are motorable. The injustice and marginalisation suffered by the Isoko people can best be gleaned from exclusion of Isoko from crucial positions in DESOPADEC, OMPADEC/NDDC and other intervention agencies put in place by successive governments to solve the Niger Delta problem. Isoko have also not fared better in State and Federal political appointments.

Dr. Lewis Akpogena, a public commentator, wrote in from Port Harcourt.

Lewis Akpogena