Nigeria’s federalism lopsided – Diete-Spiff, Alamieyeseigha

June 2, 2015 : Simon Utebor, Yenagoa 

The people of Ijaw ethnic stock in Nigeria, under the auspices of Ijaw National Congress, say the current structure of the Nigerian state is lopsided in favour of the major ethnic nationalities.

They contend that the development is such that there is no adequate socio-political and economic space for the minor ethnic nationalities, particularly the Ijaw, to thrive.

Their position was contained in a communique released after the Pan Ijaw Stakeholders summit entitled, ‘Ijaw Agenda Beyond May 29, 2015′, and made available to our correspondent on Tuesday.

The communique was signed by 31 prominent Ijaw citizens, including former Bayelsa State Governor, Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha;  former Military Governor of old Rivers State, King Alfred Diete-Spiff; and Emeritus Professor of History, Ebiegberi Alagoa.

The event, co-hosted by the INC and the Bayelsa State Government, was chaired by Diete-Spiff, who is also the Amanyanabo of Twon Brass.

ADVERTISEMENT

The summit regretted that successive administrations in Nigeria had proved unwilling to accede to the demand by the Ijaws to be united in homogeneous political entities of their own.

They noted that Nigeria was made up of diverse ethnic nationalities with varying histories, motivations and aspirations, submitting that the ethnic nationalities should form the basis of a true Nigerian federation.

They stated, “Conscious of the fact that the environment remains the most valuable physical resource for development and survival of the Ijaw ethnic nationality, the summit notes that the Ijaw oil and gas communities suffer the deleterious effects of oil and gas exploration and exploitation.

“But we regret the inability of the Nigerian state to address the concomitant negative impacts on the health,  economy, culture and environment of the Ijaw people. This reality is leading to the gradual extinction of the Ijaw people.

“Dissatisfied with the present constitutional and legislative arrangements for resource control and allocation in Nigeria, the summit observes that in all true federations and other civilised states, the communities that bear natural resources control these resources and only pay taxes to the central government. Nigeria is the only exception.

“Aware of the fact that violence and restiveness is a new phenomenon foisted on Ijaw people by circumstances of oppression and frustration, we observe that continued militarisation of Ijaw territory has resulted in severe erosion of our cherished values as a people.”

The Ijaw people agreed on the imperative to take steps to promote and sustain the Izon language as part of the desires to maintain and promote their cultural values.