THE recent declaration of self-government by a faction of the Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People took many by surprise. CHUKWUDI AKASIKE reports this ominous development
FOR many years, the people of Ogoni have felt the pangs of injustice in diverse dimensions, especially through the slow but steady pollution of their land.
Oil spills, gas flaring and other environmental degrading factors have dealt a heavy blow on the flora and fauna of the area. Though the cry of the Ogoni has reached its height, not much has been done to assuage their feelings.
Perhaps the most trying period for the people was when in 1995, Ken Saro-Wiwa and eight other activists from Ogoniland were killing by the Gen. Sani Abacha-led military junta.
Although, the natives have repeatedly demanded basic necessities of life from government and oil companies in the area, no one expected that they could declare self-government.
On August 2, 2012, the factional leader of the Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People, Dr. Goodluck Diigbo, did the unthinkable by declaring political autonomy for Ogoniland.
In his declaration, the outspoken Diigbo said he acted legitimately by reclaiming all the rights of the Ogoni. The leader of the splinter group was also said to have established a radio station known as ‘Ogoni Voice’ where he made the purported declaration of Ogoni independence.
“By this declaration of political autonomy, we, the Ogoni people, are determined to enforce the United Nations Declaration on Rights of Indigenous Peoples, without fear or retreat,” Diigbo stated.
According to him, self-government within Nigeria will bring “internal colonialism” to an end.
“The reason for the urgency of self-government for Ogoni is the concern that in the absence of a responsive government, the indigenous people of Ogoni will continue to suffer from historic injustices.
“In taking these measures, we are quite aware of the discomfort of about 56 local politicians that control local government politics in Ogoni. However, we care more about the 1.2 million people that have for too long been excluded,” Diigbo added.
He further said a transitional committee was already in place to facilitate dialogue and ensure peaceful transition within 30 days, while consultation with the national government and international community would begin without delay.
Diigbo’s declaration shook the entire Ogoniland.
But the excitement that came in the wake of Diigbo’s MOSOP declaration was dimmed by the reaction of what many agree to be the ‘main MOSOP’ led by the Chairman of the Provisional Council, Prof. Ben Naanen who immediately dismissed Diigbo’s pronouncement.
Naanen who expressed dismay at the declaration of Ogoni autonomy said, “At no time did the Ogoni people take any decision to establish a sovereign nationhood. The Ogoni Bill of Rights is clear about the aspiration of Ogoni people in Nigeria. The Ogoni want adequate representation in all the institutions of the Nigerian state as a matter of right. They want their economic, social and political rights to be protected in the Federal Republic of Nigeria. A people aspiring to sovereignty cannot also be asking for representation at the same time,” Naanen said in a statement sent to SUNDAY PUNCH via electronic mail.
Naanen called on the Federal Government to deal with the problem of poverty and marginalisation affecting the people of the area. According to him, the situation in Ogoniland is responsible for the support Diigbo enjoyed from his community.
The MOSOP leader argued that people like Diigbo would not be able to cause confusion in Ogoni if the Federal Government had shown commitment towards the development of the area.
“Diigbo is seeking relevance. He is playing to the gallery and some people listen to him because they are poor and unemployed,” he added.
Similarly, the state governor, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, described Diigbo’s action as “treasonable felony.”
“Ogoni autonomy is not achievable. The man who declared Ogoni autonomy will run into the bush tomorrow morning. What Diigbo is doing is treasonable felony. You do not declare autonomy on the pages of newspapers and magazines or on radio and television,” Amaechi said.
The governor urged Nigerians to ignore the recent declaration by the MOSOP factional leader.
But an unyielding Diigbo disagreed with the governor’s description of his declaration.
He said, “Issues pertaining to indigenous rights cannot be dabbled in by local or regional authorities that may be in conflict with indigenous rights, but rests on consultation with a nation state as Nigeria. I think Amaechi needs proper advice on international matters. It is also because of international instruments that citizens who want to live in an organised society are able to aspire to self-government, freedom and to organise and subordinate their rights. You cannot pick and choose certain aspects of civilisation and corruptly opt for permittivity as you deem fit.”
The flurry of reactions, which Diigbo assertion ignited, transcended Ogoni. A lawmaker representing Ikwerre/Emohua Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Mr. Andrew Uchendu, expressed dissatisfaction over Diigbo’s declaration and urged the people of Ogoni to be wary of their utterances in order not to destroy the legacy of their past leaders.
Uchendu said he had a good relationship with past Ogoni leaders and that none of them, including the late Saro-Wiwa, who presented the Ogoni Bill of Rights, ever talked about sovereignty for the people.
The lawmaker, who is the Chairman, House Committee on Public Service, spoke of a letter written to him on December 1, 1994 by Saro-Wiwa when he (Uchendu) was in the Constituent Assembly.
The letter, according to Uchendu, was about the plight of the Ogoni people. “There was no declaration of sovereignty. Saro-Wiwa was more concerned with environmental degradation of Ogoniland and resource control,” he said.
Also, a lawyer and Chancellor of the International Society for Social Justice and Human Rights, Mr. Jackson Omenazu, attributed the declaration of self-government to the loss of faith in the Nigerian project.
Omenazu explained that Diigbo’s action should not come as a surprise to Nigerians because the absence of social and economic security could push any tribe to call for autonomy.
He warned that more tribes could follow the Diigbo example if nothing was done to reverse Nigerians’ diminishing faith in the country.
“The indices we see in the country today can make any tribe to think of pulling out of the project called Nigeria. If the situation continues like this, more sections of the country will call for self-government,” he cautioned.
Diigbo’s declaration re-enacts the revolution that was led by late Major Isaac Adaka Boro, who declared independence of the Niger Delta on February 23, 1966, at Akaima in present day Bayelsa State.
Boro’s revolt was crushed by federal troops within 12 days. It is yet not certain, how far Diigbo’s can go.
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