Do Niger Delta PDP Governors Believe in Federalism?

Do Niger Delta PDP Governors Believe in Federalism?

Federal Republic of Nigeria; what a beautiful name in the comity of nations! Is the ruling PDP building Unitary Government structure or dismantling Federal political structures in the name of democracy? We hear about Niger Delta people's agitation for resource control, federalism etc but the PDP governors in the region are silent on their preference for the development of the region. Some Nigerian States may have competitive advantage over others if our constitution reflects true federalism. We are not in a socialist country therefore the Niger Delta governors should be able to share their vision for achieving true federalism in Nigeria.

The problem we have in Niger Delta politics is that most of our Governors were selected by Abuja PDP clique and there were no proper elections in Niger Delta region. We can't compare elections in Nigeria with elections in South Africa, Ghana, or even Tanzania. We have two choices to survive as humans in the Nigerian project and the choices are distinct and clear. But very few educated Ijaw leaders and other minorities understand the implications of the choices before us in this civilian military top/down management approach of our natural resources in Niger Delta area.

In view of this, these questions should be answered by Ijaw people: do you want to live in poverty, perpetual slavery and death or freedom, good life, healthy environment, prosperity? Of course, the first option is unitary government and option 2 is Federalism. Niger Delta region will be in turmoil for a while due to disenfranchised citizens and injustices in the political space. It's obvious that the remedy to the Niger Delta violence is effective election and new constitution that reflects the reality on the ground. Lack of clear and effective leadership from the Ijaws affects other minorities struggle for freedom.

We all want freedom and justice. How do you think people from Etche, Ibibio, Abua, Efik, Andoni feel about Unitary Government and Federalism? Especially those that disagree with the dictates of Abuja/PDP/Muslim military strategy in Niger Delta region would continue to fight for justice and freedom. It becomes a matter of principle and you can't suppress it. The case of Bayelsa State is miserable, pathetic and shameful. PDP has a stranglehold on the electorate in the Niger Delta region. PDP in collaboration with few wealthy ethnic Ijaw leaders are choking freedom in the region. The same wealthy Ijaw politicians that foisted ex-Gov. Alams on Bayelsa people made huge money in politics and have been manipulating the electoral process in Bayelsa State.

These wealthy elite Ijaw politicians are friends of the immediate past president and their relationship goes back to old Rivers State era! Bayelsa State doesn't have the logistics to conduct free and fair elections and the governorship rerun elections were just on paper. In addition, most Bayelsa State indigenes are political illiterates, poor, uneducated, oppressed by their leaders, disenfranchised and ignored by these few unelected so called Ijaw leaders.

How many Bayelsa indigenes are truly registered voters and how many understand the electoral process? These are the same PDP political class that worked with Alams to ship a 25year old turbine to UK for repairs in 1999. They also used state money to celebrate ex Gov Alams homecoming from prison in Yenagoa and Amassoma. Bayelsa State is a basket case and it would be a headache for PDP until we change the electoral laws in the country. Bayelsa State has a high degree of political egotism, selfishness, greed, corruption, primitiveness, ignorance and arrogance.

Ijaw political leaders are very wicked for ignoring the poor women, youths and children from the oil and gas producing communities. What did Bayelsa State do with the derivation money? Dep. Gov Ebebi should leave creek heaven because we don't see any improvement in people's lives except himself and his family. For instance, please his weight was about 200-220lbs and his wife was skinny before Alams left creek haven. But look at him now; he probably weights 400lbs. Why? He is overdue in Creek Haven. Why didn't the Governor/Ebebi and the State legislature allocate at least 25% of the derivation fund to oil and gas bearing communities for free education, women and children health care facilities, and women empowerment?

How do you expect to get upward review of the derivation money if the current allocation to the States disappears in Yenagoa or Creek Haven? Current Ijaw political leaders would never provide basic programmes to help people get out of the ghettos or put smile on their faces with hope for better tomorrow. Very wicked people! I am an Ijaw person and I am telling you the truth. Eleven years after late Abacha (R.I.P) created Bayelsa State (bogus name), there is not much on the ground. Most of the official buildings were constructed by the past Military Governors.

Analysis of Bayelsa State poverty eradication programme shows lack of reasoning in implementation and corruption of the highest order. Much of the money meant for poverty eradication went to politicians relatives. None of the Oil and Gas derivation funds get to the oil producing communities therefore kidnapping and political violence will continue. PDP Ijaw political leaders are exploiting their own illiterate, poor and disenfranchised people within and outside Yenagoa area for their own gain. These elders intimidate the Youth and women activists for their own political gain.

The Bayelsa State assembly is part of the political problem because they are incompetent and corrupt! This is why I question Deputy Gov. Ebebi's name on the rerun ticket but what can I do? Nothing! Would the due process and e- Governance help? Just a big word to deceive the illiterate population there! Bayelsa State does not have the ICT infrastructure and knowledge to implement electronic (ICT) governance.

This is a clever way of deceiving Bayelsa people. The Commissioner of Education should be in charge of IT related programs in conjunction with NDU and Baycas/Basic Studies/Continuing Education Programs. Simple! Bayelsa State Commissioner of Education could setup IT training centers with 50 PCs each at NDU and Baycas. You can't implement e-Governance with cellular phones or Microsoft Office applications alone.

It's nonsense! It's not cost effective to deploy VSAT/Microwave technology in Bayelsa State with uncompleted government secretariat. It doesn't make any sense! Is a stand alone server e-Governance? How do you transport electronic data to LGAs, Storage, Retrievals, Supply Chain business applications - ERP/financials, web apps? Nonsense! Most civil servants are struggling to understand how personal computers and desktop applications work together to improve productivity.

Why do they like long and glamorous job titles such as Planning and Strategy or Due Process and e-Governance? These are intangible business processes and should not be job tiles! Let's digress at this point, Niger Delta people don't believe international conferences will resolve constitutional issues. No, it smells cuckoo! What happen to the Justice Oputa peace and reconciliation reports, Okigbo Report, Obasanjo/PDP constitutional conference report, PTDF report.....?

Were they implemented? What makes Chief E.K. Clark and Elder Orubebe think that UN Ibrahim Gambari would be the man to resolve a constitutional problem? Nigeria has intellectuals at home. please don't play with Niger Delta peoples future. We love peace and I pray for peace in the region. But justice and fairness is paramount. There will be no peace after the conference. This is just my prediction and I may be wrong. Anyway, let's hope for the best and may the benefits of democracy reach every village in the name of one Nigeria. I hope! Peace, I love U! Thanks.