Ex-agitators request Development commission in Niger delta

The Niger Delta Ex-Agitators Forum has urged political leaders in the south to stand together in demanding justice and equity and putting an end to the exclusion of southern politicians from national governance concerns. The group’s chairman, Ambassador Alban Paulinus, popularly known as General Skillar, told a press conference in Port Harcourt that Niger Delta residents needed to band together to address the problems endangering Nigeria’s political stability and unity.

The forum used the occasion, which drew a large number of former agitators from the Niger Delta, to voice their displeasure with the political injustices that Southerners must endure, especially in light of the most recent agitations against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.

Drawing a comparison to the past, the ex-activists noted that injustices tainted former President Goodluck Jonathan’s government and prevented him from being awarded a second term in office. After just a year in office, certain Northern groups have already called for President Tinubu’s dismissal, indicating that he is beginning to exhibit a similar pattern. In stark contrast to the attitude of northern leaders under previous President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration who served two full terms despite substantial security challenges Ambassador Paulinus noted this.

The forum denounced this discrepancy as a potentially destabilizing factor endangering Nigeria’s unity and integrity. They demanded an immediate halt to this trend of weakening Southern leadership and issued a warning that if provocations persisted, they might be forced to take drastic measures to defend their territory and identity. The former agitators from the Niger Delta vehemently endorsed President Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope Agenda,” describing it as a strong roadmap for the country’s advancement. They emphasized that tackling the complex issues Nigeria is currently experiencing will require the president’s commitment to substantial reforms.

The forum addressed the historical prejudice against Southern Senate presidents, asserting that Northern interests have consistently targeted them for impeachment. They referenced the situations of past Southern senators who were denied the opportunity to serve out their full terms, such as Senator Evan Enwerem, Dr. Chuba Okadigbo, Anyim Pius Anyim, Adolphus Wabara, and Ken Nnamani. They contrasted this with the relatively easy tenure of Northern Senate Presidents like David Mark, Bukola Saraki, and Ahmed Lawan.

They voiced concern over the recent calls, which they claimed were more proof of the injustice committed against the South, for the impeachment of the incumbent Senate President, Southerner Senator Godswill Akpabio.

The former agitators threatened to retaliate against any attempt to weaken Akpabio’s leadership by any means necessary and declared that they would not put up with such behavior. They emphasized that the Senate Presidency ought to stand for national harmony rather than being a tool for establishing domination over a particular region. The South-South Development Commission has been asked to be established by the Niger Delta Forum. They contend that, in addition to the current Niger Delta Development body (NDDC), this body is required to guarantee equity and justice in regional development. The Forum has urged Senator Akpabio and other Southern-based federal lawmakers to introduce and quickly pass a bill creating the panel.

South West, South East, and Middle Belt politicians were asked by Ambassador Paulinus to form a Southern Nigerian Movement. In the face of growing obstacles, the movement will be devoted to protecting and advancing the South and Middle Belt’s political, economic, and regional interests, he stated. The group said it was prepared to protect Nigeria’s prosperity, unity, and integrity. However, they urged everyone in Nigeria as well as the rest of the world to acknowledge that it was past time for reform and justice.