We’ve given too much to North who takes without please & thank you —Annkio Briggs

Human and environmental activist, Mrs Annkio Briggs has lamented the current state of the Nigerian nation where her region, the Niger Delta is giving too much to the country but getting nothing but devastation and ruin in return.

She regretted that the Niger Delta region has “given too much to a country and region that is prepared not to give anything and quite unbelievably believes it is their right to take without saying please and thank you”.

She therein restated her commitment to free her region from the Northern oligarchs that have kept fending off the call for a restructured Nigeria that will allow for fairness, equity and justice.

Read below full text of her speech at the event:

Before l start l want to acknowledge that most argument in favour of restructuring is captured in the paper of H.E. Atiku Abubakar on the rights for the citizen to agitate peacefully for restructuring, restructuring will allow each state and region to develop at their own pace this is what we  in the Niger Delta have ever asked for.

On the question of where is the future of oil is sad for the Niger Delta who  have given away 87 % of our oil, only to hear today that we may not get to use oil for our own development as Nigeria will use the last drop to quickly diversify for Nigeria and most likely against us. Our % may be less than 13% eventually.

No matter how difficult it has been over the years that we are here shows some still believe that there is hope for Nigeria; the question is HOW.

On the 14 of June 2016 Sylvester Ugwuanyi of the Daily Post reported that Prof. Itse Sagay the Chairman of the Presidential advisory Committee Against Corruption faulted Nigeria saying  that Nigeria is operating a unitary system of government which he says is affecting the states.

In my view the states are affected negatively that  each region ought to enjoy a measure of autonomy in true federalism (and we know Nigeria claims to be a federal state.)

The Professor emphasised on this point by expressing the need for the 1999 Constitution to be amended to reflect Nigeria’s historical development, Prof Sagay disclosed that the independence and autonomy  of the regions were destroyed by the military government in 1966.

Prof Sagay stated that the country’s federalism is too centralised and impeding the development of the country, and that the states in Nigeria are placing too much burden on the Federal government.

In my opinion if there is a burden on the FG it is self-inflicted. As federation in truth does not allow you to take 100% of the resources of a section of the country and share it unequally giving the owners less.

Prof. Sagay further stated that “Nigeria has deviated from an ideal federalism because of over centralised institutions.

The over-centralisation is why we are calling for the practice of federalism that Nigeria claims to be and for restructuring.

A few Nigerians who benefit from the status quo want it to remain, and pretend not to know or understand the definition of Federalism and Restructuring.

Well if they truly don’t know we the people must tell them.

The people particularly of the Niger Delta region agree with Prof Sagay when he says that ” there should be respect for the nationalities and the basis of our association should be explained”

This is what we in the NDSDM  mean when we  say if Nigeria wants us to continue we must agree on the terms.

The Late Chief Obafemi Awolowo’s conviction that Nigeria is not a nation but a mere geographical expression, remains true today as when he said it decades ago, as  Nigeria till date can’t show her nationhood or desire to build a nation.

The few Nigerians strangulating Nigeria are not God and therefore cannot speak nationhood into existence, we all have to discuss it into existence and work together in the framework of justice and equality to keep Nigeria alive.

Under regional government of the past, before the military periodic interference in the process of democracy, the regions as we all know, but for some people who pretend not to know and want to rewrite our history, Sagay said the  regions – North, East, West and later Mid-West – kept 50%,  central government 20% and 30% went to the centre pool to be shared by the states.

He stated that ideally Lagos State should control Apapa and Tin Can Island ports, of course the same goes for Calarbar, Warri, Burutu, Port Harcourt and Onne ports.

He claimed that Nigeria is the only Federal Republic without a State police.

These are some of the basis of the call for restructuring.

It is the refusal and resistance to the long term clamour of the people for Nigeria to live up to its name federal republic of Nigeria that have lead to the call for restructuring, and even the call for referendum.

At the 23rd Anniversary of the annulment of the June 12 1993 Presidential elections the Gov. Of Lagos state Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode represented by SSG  Lagos State Tunji Bello said and l quote:

“We must ensure that we install a viable federalism in Nigeria, that is the only way to build  and enjoy our democracy as well as honour the memory of Late MKO Abiola.”

We in the Niger Delta agree with the former military Governor Lagos state, that practice of true federalism is the solution to the challenges facing the country. Whatever that is happening in the country will not stop until we go back to the build a Federal Nigeria

Federalism, Restructuring, Referendum, Self-Determination or even Secession are what they are; they mean what they mean. A few Nigerians deceive themselves in an attempt to deceive all Nigerians that they mean different things to different people, no they don’t.

CONCLUSION

The answer to Nigeria’s problems is Restructuring, Federalism, Referendum, Self Determination which l emphasis is not TO BREAKAWAY FROM NIGERIA,  though only to the extent that restructuring means, Liberty, Equity and Justice through unadulterated and pure Federalism-

A Politically, Economically and Socio-culturally restructured Nigeria should give us what is lacking today in governance –  accountability, ownership of all aspects of their country states and regions.

Not the current unitary-federalism Nigeria have operated for 50 years.

POLITICAL RESTRUCTURING

It is no longer acceptable that 2 regions North and South Protectorates amalgamated in 1914 on equality and justice, decades after and using the military the North ends up with 19 states, 419 LGAs, 53 senatorial seats and 191 House of Reps seats.

The South ends up with 17 States, 357 LGAs, 51 Senatorial Seats, 169 House of Reps seats.

This political injustice, and inequality guarantees our extinction and perpetual oppression and we will no longer accept it.

ECONOMIC RESTRUCTURING

1900 till date the south have been providing for the north economically the proofs of this statement are contained in the records of the Annual report of the colonies.

These records predate the amalgamation of 1914 that gave birth to pre independence Nigeria till independence.

These records shows that between 1900 to 1913 the north was in deficit, while the south was in surplus.

That the north was receiving Grant-In-Aid  from the Imperial Treasury & Southern Nigeria to Northern Nigeria.

Political advantage have been used against the south by the north as stated above to share the resources the resources of the Niger Delta.

By states allocation the 19 states of the north receive 57% of what they bring 0%.

The 419 LGAS of the north receives 55%.

The 17 southern states receives 43% of what they bring.

The 355 LGAS of the south receives 45%.

BREAKDOWN OF THE CONTRIBUTIONS FROM OIL AND GAS FROM THE SOUTH OF NIGERIA TO FEDERATION ACCOUNT

South East – 2.7%

South West – 3.95%

South South – 91.54%

From national Bureau of statistics

Almost 13 years ago Niger Deltans partnered with (BFIG) bid and won the sale of the Akwa Ibom-based Aluminum Smelter Company of Nigeria (ASCON).

Once it became clear that Niger Deltans were involved in the business the sale was frustrated and after several years in court, and despite 3 Supreme Court judgements and orders, the Nigeria state have refused to hand over the company.

The company has capacity to create over 3500 direct and indirect jobs.

Consequently we continue to lose faith completely Nigeria as even Supreme Court judgement/ orders can’t give us equity and justice.

The economic oppression and deprivation is clearly demonstrated to the extent that nearly 90% of the privately owned oil blocks of the Niger Delta are owned by people from the north.

SOCIO-CULTURAL RESTRUCTURING

The fiercely on going invasion of our farmlands, kidnapping of farmers, traditional rulers, raping of women old and young, taking over and destruction of schools and churches by Fulani herdsmen, have negatively impacted our sociocultural rights and live as provided for Under the various UN instruments and the African charter on human and peoples’ rights.

The political, economic and sociocultural oppression, deprivation, and neocolonialism must stop through total and holistic restructuring

*****Our people are fast coming to the conclusion that despite nonviolent and violent attempts at getting justice and equity in the past, several dialogues, and the various accompanying reports, despite several visits in the past and the recent visits and the promises of licenses, cleanup of environmental spills, meetings with politicians, elders, traditional rulers, youths, etc.

We are no closer to the truth and Liberty, Equity and Justice we so desperately desire and must have.

******Over the past 20 years we have requested and demanded for several changes we have been denied all; we have to get or we will take.

SOLUTIONS

I propose that we give ourselves a timeline of no more than 12 months to arrive at:

a. the 6 geopolitical  zones to have equal representations at the National Assembly.

b. the 6 geopolitical zones own, control and manage their resources, paying tax to FG.

c. the ports in the Niger Delta should be managed by the state, and the  federal government manage the immigration and customs.

The higher tariffs imposed on ports in the Niger Delta is to impoverished and discourage importers from using the ports in the south, the major importers and exporters of products and goods into Nigeria are the South Easterners, and the nearest ports to them are in the South South yet they are made to use the Apapa and Tin can ports by the artificial creation, of bottle necks in the South South ports and higher tariffs on imported and exported goods and products.

d. the herdsmen are private business men, and are not entitled to demand for land from where there is hardly any landmass.

The trekking of cattle and men known for extreme and unprovoked violence is dangerous to Southerners and should be rejected.

e. implementation of the 2014 National Conference report.

If we are one nation as is claimed, then this truth must be told, heard, verified, accepted and we can begin to find the true way forward for the building of the Nigeria nation, where if we are all equal, then respect must be given one to the other.

The position above is the true position of the NDSDM, and has even for over 3 years.

But the Niger Delta Self Determination Movement as of the 28th of June after an emergency meeting stated that it is too late for Restructuring, and have joined the call for a Referendum as it seems that the Federal Government seems bent on not listening to the long term frustration, anguish and pain of  the peace-loving and patience people of the South.

We truly believe we have over the past 100 years given too much to a country and region that is prepared not to give anything and quite unbelievably believes it is their right to take without saying please and thank you.

Despite the purposeful misrepresentation of my promotion of liberty, equity & justice for all not only for my region and people allow me to once again state my unapologetic desire for liberty, justice and equity, will benefit all not only my state, region or south of Nigeria  but all states, regions and north of Nigeria.

We all have resources to own, control and pay taxes to FG!

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