Politics
Nigeria’s Politics, For Disintegration?
Politics has been conceptualised by some politicians as game of do or die affair. But to political scientists, it is defined as the activities judiciously concerned with governing a society or nation by people with same political ideology or beliefs.
In Nigeria, it is clear that the activities of the Northern political stalwarts are very disey and capable of dichotomizing the stability of the Nigeria Sovereignty, which might likely lead the nation to disintegration.
Before Independence in 1960, there were two major entities existing distinctly as Northern and Southern Protectorates.
The buoyancy of the Southern – protectorate was the main sustenance of the Northern protectorate due to their lean economy. Infact, these necessitated the diplomatic device of integration with the Southern protectorate.
The scheming and tactics was implemented as the Southern region elites were lived to sign the agreement, which brought about the amalgamation of the two distinct entities in 1914 through the instrumentality of a British administration of Sir Fredrick Lord Lugard. The amalgamation led to the formation of an entity called Nigeria which later became the federated status in 1954.
It is on record that since 1914 till present, the Coastal part of the Southern region, now known as Niger Delta region has been under socio-economic and political pressure by the rest of the regions, particularly the Northern counterparts.
In the present dispensation, Nigeria has four cardinal regions named, East, West, North and South with what is known as six geo-political axis. Going by the six recognised geo-poltical zones of the four cardinal areas of Nigeria, the North Central zone comprises, Benue, Plateau, Kwara Nasarawa, Niger – Kogi states, including the federal capital Territory (Abuja), North Eastern Zones comprises Borno, Yobe, Bauchi, Gombe, Adamawa, and Taraba states and North-Western zone comprises Sokoto, Kebbi, Zamfara Kastina, Kano, Jigawa and Kaduna States.
South Eastern zone is made up of Anambra, Imo, Abia, Enugu and Ebonyi States, while Ekiti, Ogun, Ondo, Lagos, Osun and Oyo States make up the South Western zone, with Cross River, Delta, Bayelsa, Edo, Akwa-Ibom and Rivers States constituting the South-South zone.
It is obvious that amongst the six gro-political zones, close observation has indicated that it is only the South-South zone (Niger Delta region) that have not produced any Head of State or President by normal electoral procedures in Nigeria. The only privilege that came to the Niger Delta region was the recent one that brought in the incumbent President, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan through the April 2011 general elections.
However, since the emergence of Dr. Jonathan to the seat of governance, there have been politically by motivated insecurity, the Boko Haram Sect believed to be sponsored by key political stalwarts from the norths who have vowed to make the country ingovernable for Jonathan.
It is note worthy that between 1960 and 2010, thirteen personalities have emerged as National Leaders of Nigeria, statistically, out of these lot, eight hails from the Northern geo-political zone, they are: General Yakubu Gowon (alias go on with one Nigeria), 1966-1875, General Murtala Mohammed, 1975-1976; Alaji Shehu Shagari, 1979-1983, General Mohammadu Buhari, 1984-1985; General Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida, 1985-1993; General Sani Abacha, 1993-1998; General Abdulsalami Abubakar, 1998- May 29, 1999; Alhaji Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, 2007- May.
In the same vein, two of the National Leaders that hails from the Eastern geo-political zone were Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe (the first Executive President at Independence – 1960 – Mid 196) and General Aguiyi Ironsi, 1964-1966. Two other leaders from the Western geo-political zone were Chief Matthew Olusegun Obansanjo (OBJ) and Chief Ernest Shonekan of the short-lived Interim National Government (ING), from August to November, 1993.
In addition to being sidelined in the leadership, the Niger Delta or South-South region was also relegated in the areas of Ministerial positions. All the while, it has been the Northerners usurping sensitive organs of administration as Petroleum, Energy, Power, Education, Agriculture etc. the only time Petroleum Minister was given to a true son of Niger Delta in the person of Professor Tam David-West, during the IBB Military regime, it became very controversial and agitated as unfounded allegations were levied on David-West to a point that he was replaced by a Northerner – Alhaji Rilwanu Lukman.
In the midst of the foregoings, Niger Deltas held her peace in order to move the nation forward, irrespective of the enormous economic viability and contributions of the oil rich States and communities, she was treated with ignominy.
For instance, under the present democratic dispensation, late Alhaji Umaru Musa Yar’Adua could only appoint a bonafide son of the core Niger Delta, on. Odein Ajumogobia, who was nominated for ministerial portfolio, a subordinate to a Northerner as Minister of State (Petroleum) before he was reassigned as Minister of Foreign Affairs after the demise of President Yar’Adua. It is thus amazing that Northern leaders are not satisfied with all this. This is the only explanation for their demand for more revenue allocation in recent times.
It is pertinent to note that some individuals and interest groups are through this means working assiduously to dichotomise the society which might lead to disintegrating the solid foundation laid by the founding patriarchs of this nation. By debating blindly and chasing shadows instead of reality, they inadvertently call for all other segments of the nation to have a rethink on their position in the country.
It is more ironical that Dr. Goodluck Jonathan has been focused as inferior who does not deserve or have right to contest for second tenure as a free citizen of Nigeria despite being the incumbent, having emerged from the so degraded Niger Delta region. His intention to contest is looked upon as an abomination. The Northerners are always claiming superiority over the Southerners. The position is: how long shall they continue to picture the Niger Deltan as kids? Of Course, that era of deceit is gone. This is time to arise and possess the rightful position of the so neglected region for decades.
Frankly speaking, based on the leadership statistics forestated, it is enough evidence that 2015 Presidential portfolio is due for the South-south geo-political zone again, which falls on the right peg of the incumbent President, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan. It is unforuante that the elderly is not dreaming for the progress and development of the younger generation in the system. Civilian administration is government of representation by the people and not by authoritative or dictatorial pattern. Therefore, politics should be in the spirit of sportsmanship and not of bitterness as viewed by some unscrupulous elements that bent on selfish interest. Remember one time American President Kennedy who asserted: “Think on what you can do for America and not what America can do for you”.
The Northern politicians should think the best to do, to move this nation forward and not to sponsor an unpatriotic group to cause security stress in the Nigerian environment. Without doubt, precious lives and properties of unquantifiable worth have been wasted in Nigeria, especially Christians dwelling and transacting business in the Northern domain. Meanwhile the Northerners are walking and transacting their business freely in the Eastern, Western and Southern axis of same country. Why the dichotomy? It is fascinating that the Leader of Boko Haram recently threatened the government of Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan would be tracked down within the spectrum of one year because the sect was fingered as the cause of insecurity stress in the country.
There is no doubt that with the political insinuations of the Northern leaders does not portray the spirit of ONE NIGERIA. However, the south-South geo-political region will not continue to be fools, watching helplessly to her detriment. Therefore, good thinking citizens of Nigeria should delight on how to move the giant of Africa forward to a greater height of progress and manpower development and not for a retrogressive bargain. Enough is enough of the ugly characteristics against the South-South region!
Enoch Epelle
Governor Douye Diri has set a target of at least one million votes for President Bola Tinubu in Bayelsa State in the 2027 presidential election, while charging the newly inaugurated All Progressives Congress (APC) State Campaign Council to prioritise reconciliation, party unity and collective electoral mobilisation.
Governor Diri gave the charge at the inauguration of the 20-member campaign council at the APC secretariat in Yenagoa, where he warned that internal divisions could undermine the party’s efforts to secure victory for President Tinubu and other candidates at the federal and state levels.
Governor Diri urged party members who were not appointed to the council to support its activities by taking the APC’s message to communities, wards and polling units across the state.
He specifically charged the campaign team to mobilise at least one million votes for President Tinubu, arguing that Bayelsa’s voting strength had increased and should be reflected in the 2027 election results.
“I give you a target that in Bayelsa, we must not bring less than one million votes for Mr President. You are going to campaign, and you have a lot to talk about the President. He has done so much for our people,” the governor said.
He listed the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, the second phase of the Nembe-Brass Road, interventions in the power sector, federal appointments for Bayelsa indigenes and the establishment of the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy among the achievements the campaign should present to voters.
The governor particularly praised President Tinubu for the coastal highway project, arguing that it reflected federal attention to the development needs of coastal communities.
“No president, alive or dead, has remembered the coastal people and coastal states to say let us do this signature project from Lagos to Calabar. The first president to think about it is Bola Tinubu, and those were the demands of the Ijaw people,” he said.
Governor Diri also expressed hope that a second term for President Tinubu would provide an opportunity to advance demands for fiscal federalism, greater resource control and state policing, which he described as longstanding aspirations of the Niger Delta.
He said the President had shown indications of addressing some of the demands of younger Nigerians and argued that re-election would allow the administration to consolidate its reforms.
The governor further cautioned campaigners against personal attacks and abusive exchanges with political opponents, insisting that the APC should focus its campaign on issues, policies and achievements.
The governor’s mobilisation directive comes amid criticism from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which has questioned his commitment to President Tinubu’s re-election campaign, alleging that APC campaign billboards erected across Yenagoa promote other party candidates without featuring the President.
The PDP, through its Publicity Secretary, Mr Ikaebimo Mark, said the billboards showed Governor Diri urging voters to support APC candidates for the National Assembly and State House of Assembly elections without identifying President Tinubu as the party’s presidential candidate.
Mr Mark described the omission as an indication that the governor was not fully aligned with the APC’s national leadership.
“When we said that the governor, Senator Douye Diri, is not supporting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, we knew exactly what we were saying. Now Governor Douye Diri has erected APC campaign billboards across Bayelsa State without Tinubu’s picture. He is even afraid to associate himself with the photograph of the presidential candidate of his own party. How can this governor claim to be supporting President Tinubu?” he said.
The PDP, however, maintained that the governor’s public campaign posture raised questions about his commitment to the President’s re-election bid. Its allegation over the billboards now places the issue of the relationship between the state APC leadership and the party’s national campaign among the political questions likely to feature in Bayelsa’s preparations for 2027.
The PDP’s allegation has introduced a fresh political dimension to the APC’s preparations in Bayelsa, even as Governor Diri publicly called on party leaders and members to close ranks and mobilise support for all its candidates.
“Every person picked as a member of this campaign council was carefully scrutinised. I want to tell you that our campaign team is loaded. We parade the best candidates among all the parties in Bayelsa State, and there is no doubt about that,” he said.
He urged members to remain focused and united, warning that political opponents could exploit any divisions within the party.
“Our unity is very important because they would want to feast on our disunity. We will not give them that opportunity. Please, as you carry out this assignment, do not take your eyes off the target,” Hon. Ogoriba said.
SP Edafe explained that during the meeting, the organisers were briefed on the identified security threats and advised against embarking on an open-road procession.
Instead, the police reportedly recommended that the political activities be conducted at a designated venue where adequate security arrangements could be provided.
However, the Command alleged that the organisers disregarded the security advice and proceeded with the road procession.
Meanwhile, the Delta State Government has condemned the political violence that erupted in Asaba, the state capital, on Saturday, confirming that one person was killed while four others sustained serious injuries.
The government described the incident as unfortunate and unacceptable, warning political parties and their supporters against actions capable of threatening public peace, security and democratic participation in the state.
In a statement issued by the Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, Mr Charles Aniagwu, the government reiterated its zero tolerance for political violence, intimidation and other forms of political misconduct.
Mr Aniagwu said the government had repeatedly cautioned political parties against engaging in activities capable of disrupting the peace, insisting that the incident could have been avoided if the organisers had followed security advice.
According to him, the police had advised the organisers to cancel the proposed street march and instead conduct their political campaign at a designated venue where adequate security arrangements could be provided.
He expressed concern that the advice was allegedly disregarded, resulting in a confrontation that claimed one life and left four other people seriously injured.
The government subsequently called on the police to conduct a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the violence and ensure that anyone found culpable is brought to justice.
Mr Aniagwu further warned that the state government would not tolerate politically motivated attacks against any individual, regardless of political affiliation.
He maintained that Delta State remained safe for residents and visitors, stressing that the government would not allow the actions of individuals or groups to undermine the prevailing peace and security in the state.
The government also urged political parties, their leaders and supporters to conduct their political activities within the confines of the law and demonstrate respect for human life, public order and the rights of other citizens.
The latest development follows an attack on supporters of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) during a political procession in Asaba, which reportedly left several participants injured and campaign vehicles vandalised.
The government’s condemnation comes amid growing concerns over political violence and the safety of opposition supporters as political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 general elections.
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