If Resource Control Were their Religion By

If Resource Control Were their Religion
By

Victor E. Dike

This writer wants to make it clear from the onset that this article is not about the politics of the North and South or Muslim and Christian. And to avoid a "Fatwa" it shall not ridicule or impugn the Shariah. However, this article believes that if resource control were the religion of the Muslim north the government would have allowed the region a free passage, as it did in Shariah. And a "Fatwa" could have been dangling on the neck of those who would oppose that. In addition, this writer believes that any person who is against the demand for resource control is against the concept and realities of true federalism. The truth, which is the foundation of life, is that what is good for the goose is equally good for the gander.

Educated observers of the political summersaults in Nigeria are aware that the debate on resource control has been on for a while, but the leaders lack the political courage to tackle the problem. Some people might be surprised at the apparent hypocritical position the north has taken on the derivation palaver that seems to threaten the unity of Nigeria. When Chief Olusegun Obasanjo announced the National Political Reform Conference (NPRC) many doubted (and still doubt) his motives. There were suspicions that he would amend the Constitution to enable him continue in office. However, when the members of the Conference were announced the folks in the north shouted "marginalisation" and threatened to boycott the Conference. But the appointment of a Muslim as a Co-Secretary to the Conference pacified them.

Without prejudice, the North has always played political hardball in protecting its interests on issues of national importance (without minding, more often than not, the effect of its position on others). A few examples suffice. When Ken Saro-Wiwa complained about the oil exploitation and environmental degradation in the Niger Delta (The South-South states (Niger Delta) include Akwa-Ibom, Bayelsa, Delta, Edo, Rivers and Cross Rivers)the tyrannical Sani Abacha hanged him (and others) in 1996. When the Zamfara State governor introduced the full-blown Shariah legal system in the secular Nigeria, the Muslim North declared "Jihad" when it was asked to put off the Shariah implementation. But it made the society ungovernable and the federal government allowed it a smooth passage apparently in the spirit of federalism and freedom of religion.

However, the mayhem following the article by Isioma Daniel in the ThisDay, during the botched Miss World contest, which the Muslims claimed insulted their faith, cast a doubt on the people’s rights to freedom of expression and the unity of Nigeria.

The Muslim leaders kicked against the up-coming national census on the grounds that it violates their faith and cultural belief, as it would allow the male enumerators access to their "wives in the harems." It also ‘raised hell’ over the removal of ethnic origin and religious affiliation as statistics to be collected and threatened to boycott the exercise. And it even argued against the proposed use of electronic voting that could reduce fraud in elections.

Meanwhile, the NPRC has turned out to be a debate on resource control and the North is again flexing its political muscle (to dictate its outcome). The north should break away from its ugly faith-based arm-twisting attitudes if it wants Nigeria to survive as one. As mentioned earlier, if resource control were its religion the federal government would have allowed the North free passage. And "Jihad" (or "fatwa") could have been declared on the other faiths that would oppose it. The Zamfara State government through their spokesperson, Mamuda Aliyu Shinkaf issued a "fatwa" against Isioma Daniel because of the so-called "blasphemous" article. And for fear of being killed she has since been in exile because the "dagger waving" fanatic would have stabbed her to death if they had found her. Isn’t that weird and absurd?

The truth can change a nation’s life when it adheres to it in word and practice. But the problem with Nigeria is that everybody talks about the truth and honesty without practicing that in policy formulation and implementation. Resource control should be seen from the point of view of truth, equity and justice. And to speak of justice and fairness, the land that bears the resources should have a fair share of the revenue from the resources. Agitation for resource control should not be limited to oil, but to encompass other mineral resources. And there are many mineral resources in other localities to develop and control. Thus true resource control allows a people to control the resources within its domain and pay a pre-determined tax to the federal government. But Nigerian leaders still don’t get it!

There seems, however, an inherent leadership problem in Nigeria in tackling identified sociopolitical and economic problems. Poor leadership at the NPRC appears to have caused the brouhaha over the derivation formula. The agitation for resource control is a litmus test for the enthronement of true federalism and the success of the on-going socioeconomic and political restructuring in the society. It deserves the support of everyone! The essence of federalism is to allow each state or region a significant measure of autonomy to manager its affairs. But the present civilian administration, like military regimes, talks about true federalism but practices unitary system with "proto-fascist" tendency.

For Nigeria to survive as one there is serious need to put a stop to exploitation, humiliation and intimidation of one group by another. The society should allow the principle of true federalism to prevail. What does a true federalism mean if each state should not control its resources? The process by which Abuja spoon-feeds the states will not engender competition and development; rather it has complicated the problems in the society.

If the truth must be told the north is not being realistic and sympathetic to the situation in the Niger Delta. The region has argued that any increase in the derivation for the South-South would negatively affect the other states, as the revenue accruing to non-oil producing states from the national coffers would drop sharply. With due respect and without prejudice, this argument appears flawed and lousy because one should not depend on what he or she does not own. If the north supports true federalism (as it says it does) it should embrace all the conditions of the concept, which includes state control of resources. The hard truth is that the oil in the Niger Delta belongs to them (just as copper, tin, diamond, gold, etc) that are found in other localities belong to the states. The earlier the people are made to understand this fact the better!

Oil exploration has destroyed the traditional way of livelihood (fishing and farming) in the Niger Delta, and for that, they should be adequately compensated. It is, therefore, unrealistic and an arrant nonsense for any person to expect them to back down on the demand for resource control. It is gratifying however that the delegates have vowed not to return to the conference unless the derivation was raised to 25 per cent (with 5% yearly increase to 50%.) This is a good chance for them to prove their case!

The north has refused to reason with the South-south and demands that it should break the deadlock for the unity, security, stability, and progress of Nigeria. But history shows that the north did not care about the unity of Nigeria when Nigerians of other faiths were being slaughtered in the wake of the Shariah riots. Resource control is now the religion of the Niger Delta and nobody should prevent them from practicing their religion!

As some analysts have noted, nothing but strict adherence to truth, honesty and fair play can advance the true interests of Nigeria. Nigeria should appease the Niger Delta and not intimidate or harass the zone. As it were, one should not kill the goose that lays the golden egg! Can any person imagine what will become of Nigeria if Niger Delta ceases to be a part of the society? It is frightening to think about that!

Nigeria may not remain one if the system is working against the zone that feeds the nation. There is nothing on the ground that distinguishes Niger Delta as an oil producing area. The level of poverty and underdevelopment is glaring and the restiveness in the area has worsened the security situation in Nigeria. The chaos would continue to give the devilish groups the chance to wreak havoc on the society and to kidnap the oil workers and use threats of violence to extort money from any person (group) that is against their interest.

Nigeria should watch out for any possible subtle hints because some individuals could employ the gangs to destabilize the society. Worse still, the powerful and mischievous world that plays oil politics could exploit the ugly situation and create another "Kuwait" in the Niger Delta.

The government, the Chief Obasanjo’s Niger Delta Development Corporation, and the multi-national corporations making billions from the oil should wake up to their responsibilities and build up the poor infrastructure in the area and clean up the environment. And the local political leaders should use the oil wealth to provide the people basic necessities of life (food, water, shelter, basic road, education and healthcare).

Finally, the international community should desist from branding the struggling youths of Niger Delta "terrorists." This writer sees them as freedom fighters - fighting for justice and economic survival. Again, fairness and justice is the enduring solution to the Niger Delta problem. For true federalism to survive in Nigeria the world should support the Niger Delta in their agitation for resource control. And the zone should be given the freedom to manage the oil resources, as if it were their religion, the way the North was allowed to implement the Shariah legal system in the secular Nigeria. Because what is good for the goose is equally good for the gander!

Victor E. Dike, CEO, Center for Social Justice and Human Development (CSJHD), in Sacramento, California, is the author of Fraud or Democracy? The Presidency of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, 2003-2007 [Forthcoming, 2007],

Victor E. Dike
CEO & Founder, Center for Social Justice and Human Development (CSJHD),
(a non-governmental, non-profit organization),
P.O. Box 232207, Sacramento, CA 95823
Phone: Cellular (916) 267-5868.
Website: www.geocities.com/boyi47