Features
‘Rivers People Are More Politically Mature’
The ghost of political violence has continued to hunt the process at every stage in Nigeria leading to loss of lives as in the case of Taraba State long after the casting of votes. Comrade Christian Lekia, politician, social justice crusader and rights activist, and President of the Niger Delta Coalition Against Violence, comments on this and other related issues in this interview with Opaka Dokubo. Excerpts:
Generally speaking, I will say that Nigeria has been a crude political environment for a while now, but at the same time, things are changing because people are becoming gradually aware of what real politics should be. It is a function of a process that has to do with time.
Remember that at the advent of this dispensation, not many people had confidence that the military was going to quit power. So those who were political gamblers gambled into power, took advantage of the opportunity and most of them got into offices.
You will agree with me that they want to retain power at every cost and that is why you see queer politics on the rise. It’s been very difficult, but with the role NGOs like ours and others are playing today, people are gradually becoming aware of the fact that they need to play politics without bitterness.
It’s been very bad, but people are now aware that democracy has come to stay and military are equally cooperating with the political case and I believe that very soon, there’ll be a whole lot of filtration in terms of the quality of persons that will be participating in the political process. And that will also make it difficult for those whoa re a product of the crude practice to remain in power.
How Do You See The Emergence Of The Signing Of Peace Accords By Candidates?
For me it’s a welcome development, but you also know that the constitution is supreme. We need a whole lot of electoral reforms that will make the outcome of such peace pacts to be enforceable. You see what happened in Rivers State, the mere fact that some leading candidates of political parties were made to sign a Peace Accord against political violence did not stop violence from taking place in a couple of places. And you see how volatile Bayelsa is, I don’t think the peace accord is going to be very effective since it is not going to be enforceable. We need a comprehensive overhaul of electoral reforms so that whatever anybody is meant to do will be enforceable and people will be aware that you cannot look for any short cut out of the process.
Generally speaking, a peace accord is a good thing, it is a welcome development, but it should be incorporated into the number reforms the current INEC should be considering so that whosoever violates that will be aware that there is a constitutional consequence. That way, the candidates will know that they will talk to their supporters and the tide of violence will be stemmed.
On The Political Situation In Rivers State: Are We Where We Want To Be?
As a person, I will tell you that Rivers State to me is like a micro Nigeria. It has a whole lot of interest vested here. So, when it comes to the politics of this state, a whole lot of persons want to get involved. Be that as it may, we should know that this is democracy where the people of the stae should be allowed to determine their fate politically. Where we are is certainly not where we ought to have been. But all the same, I think it is an improvement on the old order.
We are moving forward and I want every body to see the state as the only treasure we have and let our politics equally go through the refinery of culture so that we can actually get there.
So, I will like to enjoin the political class to play the politics of development, not that of character assassination or holding onto the pseudo impression that you are only protected when you are in power. If our politics will be people-centred, it will be clearer that whether you are in power or not, your records will speak for you. And that’s what I think for my state. I think we should look beyond class politics and begin to think of the real essence of democracy where every person will have a feel of government. That way, we can be sure that the fortunes of democracy will never elude us.
Different Reactions To Similar Tribunal Judgments In Taraba And Rivers States
Maturity of the political class determines the fate of the people as the outcome of any political process. Whatever decision you see coming as a result of any political exercise, the way it will be received and the impact it will have on the people is usually a function of the level of political maturity you have in the land.
If you look at the case of Taraba, clearly, not just in Taraba, but in the north, you have a bandwagon followership when it comes to politics. There is this Talakawa movement in which whoever is closer to the masses is being seen as their leader and it becomes natural to see a revolt against any judgment that does not reflect the collective will of the people. That is what I see and it is so unfortunate that the protest brought about loss of lives. There is no one life that should have been lost.
If there is one thing that I learned from the former president, Goodluck Jonathan, he said his ambition is not worth the blood of any Nigerian. And the earlier we realize that it is about the people and not about the occupant of that office, the more value we place on the people.
If I were the beneficiary of that entire process, I will honourably resign. Reasons are that it’s about the people and if I have respect for the value of human life, I should tell them that my ambition is not worth that.
Be that as it may, I think the people of Taraba should come together, sink their difference and think of the development of Taraba State.
I regret the incident and it is a loss not just to their families and the state, but to the greater Nigerian nation. We can’t afford to be losing people on account of political violence. It’s unfortunate. INEC too ought to step up their political education campaign, bringing people into the full knowledge of their activities and making their work in tandem with laid down procedures and avoid things that could generally lead to an outbreak of violence. NGOs, traditional rulers the police and others should rise up to their responsibilities and work for peace because there can’t be any reasonable development without peace. So, I think what we should do is to call on the government to dissociate themselves from influencing the outcome of any political process. That a particular political party is in power does not mean that that party must be in power everywhere. It is unfortunate and regrettable.
In Rivers State The Story Was Different, Have We Arrived?
We have not really arrived but I told you from the outset about political maturity. Here people are more conscious of what their roles should be politically. Even during the last elections, people said there was going to be unbearable crisis in Rivers State but that didn’t happen. If you look at Dakuku Peterside or Nyesom Wike, they’re all Rivers people and no Rivers person sees their lives as being worth more than the value of their own lives.
Anybody can be there. They’re both wonderful persons. If you look at the sitting governor today, nobody gave him the chance of becoming the governor. Not even me. The governorship in Rivers State has always been about the Riverine/Upland understanding. This is the first time we will be having a break from that traditional order. Some of us were not happy. Be that as it may, you don’t take the law into your hands, democracy is evolving and the outcome, as long as it is the people’s will, should be accepted. So we accepted the outcome. And if you look at the performance of the youngman today, people are more conscious of the good deeds he has done. They will be willing to vote for him now than before. The backlog of (salary) arrears he paid, the zero pothole policy has gone beyond zero potholed. He is working. With the level of work he has done today, even if anybody takes him away from that office, it is very clear that his work will always speak for him in the brief while he was governor.
Dakuku himself is equally, not empty of experience and Rivers people have come to know that their governors work more under pressure than when they get this thing on a platter of gold. The pressure in good.
So, I think the difference between the case in Taraba and here is that we’re more mature politically, we’re more conscious of the role we should play and we are also conscious of the fact that our blood should not be spilled on the basis of the ambition of anybody.
You will also agree with me that we have more NGOs, here than anywhere else in terms of educating the people and making them realize that the greatest weapon you can use against any politician is their votes. Their greatest form of endorsement is also their votes. So, we thank God for where we are, even if we are not yet where we should be. We should continue to improve and all stakeholders must work to make sure that the next political dispensation, or process will be better than the outcome of this one.
Expectations On The New INEC Chairman And His Commissioners
In the first place, I want to congratulate the new chairman and his team. If you look at those on the team, they’re men of integrity and they ought to be respected. But they should also know that Nigerians are expecting so much from them.
If you look at what (Prof. Atahiru) Jega represents, whether you like the card reader thing or not, he was firm, he knew where he was going to and he didn’t allow unhealthy influences to make him sway from the direction he originally had intended to follow. He set the stage and clearly brought about a blueprint and INEC tried. So, anybody stepping into Jega’s shoes should understand that there’s so much work to be done. They should be aware that so much criticism greeted the advent of the card reader and a whole lot of policies and reforms Jega introduced.
We are faced today by some negative political practices so it behoves on him (the new INEC chairman) and his team to do a whole lot of study. They should stud the previous processes, not just the Jega’s administration, but previous electoral bodies, and see where they got it wrong and improve on it.
If they are sincere and they are patriotic enough, Nigerians will not consider where they’re coming from. The love of Nigeria should be upper most on their minds and not their loyalty to Mr President or anybody else. It should be about the people of this country and what they will be leaving behind to posterity. Whether they achieve well or not, whatever they leave behind as footprints, Nigerians will be very sensitive to analising them and our judgement will be based on their work while in office.
We pray that they succeed. We also pray that they should be fair minded. They should love this country and ensure that most of the inadequacies and flaws experienced during previous electoral processes are corrected.
From the fore going, the fight against drug trafficking should be treated as an international challenge with open collaboration, if the world leadership must win the fight!.
The circumstances or should I say the improvement on drug related activities are modifying and updating on daily basis. A close friend of mine in the United States of America who recently visited Jamaica, came with a lot of complicated information about drug trafficking and transaction. Being a qualified Nurse in US and on a visit to the Reggae Country (Jamaica), she said she was put aback when a man approached her and introduced himself as a Pharmacist. According to her, she immediately picked interest due to her professional background. To her, a business partner is birthed. But she was shocked to the narrows on learning that drug dealers or traffickers and subriquited Pharmacist in that Country. From her account, they ( The Jamaican Pharmacists), are the first set to people to meet and greet you at the Airport. No government or authority challenges them in the open due to the sophisticated nature of their transportation
Come to think of it, who would want to attack a Pharmacist on duty? Nigerians are not left out in the improvement on drug deal. A chat with a confident in the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency ( NDLEA) Rivers State Command, so revealed. The Officer draw my attention to the movement of Dispatch Riders. He said part of the reasons they ride with almost speed equivalent of the thunder lightning, is to meet up with the appointment of delivering hard drug consignment to a client of theirs. According to him, those guys popularly referred to as Yahoo Boys are the ones who now payroll dispatch riders so that they can deliver their consignment ( hard drugs) on schedule no matter the sort of traffic or weather condition. The fear of loosing rich clients and that of the unknown treatment that may come of the Boys, as the officer puts it, drives the Riders crazy thus the reason to speed even at the expense of their lives.
The account of a prominent Party Promoter, Wayne Anthony, as obtained online recently, also pointed out that ‘No Legislation Will Stop Clubbers From Doing Drugs’ Party promoter, Wayne Anthony, arrived in Ibiza, a Spanish Island in 1988, at the same time as dance music and the party drug ecstasy. Despite hallucinating badly enough to make him give up the lifestyle forever, he says laws will never stop clubbers taking drugs. “I don’t think you can control these things,” said former party promoter Wayne Anthony. He arrived in Ibiza in 1988 and began setting up club nights and raves in some of the island’s most iconic venues. In the years that followed, the sleepy Spanish island turned into a raver’s haven of clubbing and hedonism, with party drugs like ecstasy commonly found. “What Ibiza represented was this beautiful, hot island which was visually stunning and we knew you could party there quite legally,” said Wayne. “You didn’t have to look over your shoulder. You could just be as free as you possibly could be.”
That freedom came with a price. Along with the lavish clubs, all-day-benders and hot Spanish sun came drug cartels and crime. The city transformed into one the world’s most vibrant party capitals, “fuelled by a dangerous and lucrative drugs trade which drew as many criminals to its shores as it did party animals”. Wayne, one of the contributors to the documentary, spoke to Sky News ahead of its release.”I’m not going to sit here and say the cartels aren’t there. They are all there and they’ve been there from the ’90s,” said Wayne. But he said most people tried to ignore the organised crime going on around them. According to Wayne, clubbers usually took the approach of: “‘Give me 10 E’s . Behind the scenes of the filming of Ibiza Narcos with Wayne Anthony. Behind the scenes of the filming of Ibiza Narcos with Wayne Anthony. Hallucinating giant spiders Although he described the Balearic island as the “motherland”, it was eventually a bad experience with drugs that convinced Wayne it was time to leave Ibiza.
He’d been partying for days when he realised he’d taken too many drugs. A friend told him to drink cough medicine, dangerous advice that he now says could have killed him. “I saw the worst hallucination I’ve ever seen in all of my life. I ended up locking myself in the villa with all the shutters down. When he sobered up, he realised he had “come to the end” of his party life on the island. “I never looked back. I never took another drug. I got away from the club world.” ‘I don’t think you’re going to be able to stop it’ Despite his life-changing experience, he doesn’t think criminalising drugs is a good idea – or particularly effective. “If you’re old enough to vote for who’s going to be a world leader, if you’re old enough to put your name down on debt for 25 years, I feel like you should be old enough to govern what you put inside your own body, you know?” said Wayne.
Back to Nigeria, some illicit drugs worth over N30billion seized at Onne Port in Rivers State.
This blood chilling development forced the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency at the Onne Port, following what authorities described as repeated incidents of importation of dangerous cargo, including arms and ammunition through the said port. To this effect, the government said it was immediately implementing emergency protocols at Onne Port for the next three months by conducting thorough examinations of all suspected containers in the premises.
The Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, in charge of the port via a press conference, said it henceforth, unveiled the seizures of illicit goods by the Nigeria Customs Service, Area 2 Command, Onne in Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State. In defence for his action, Adeniyi said the recurring incidents posed a threat to national security, adding that the health of citizens at the Onne Port is increasingly being used as a destination for dangerous and illicit cargo, describing it as a disturbing trend.
The customs boss stated, “Earlier today, I joined numerous stakeholders to take a significant step towards the cause of trade facilitation through the inauguration of upgraded facilities provided by the West Africa Container Terminal, Onne. “As I express delight that trade facilitation is getting traction in Onne Port, I cannot help but call your attention to a grave concern. This has to do with the repeated incidents of national security breaches unfolding in Onne Port. I appreciate your presence, as we all have a shared responsibility in safeguarding our national security. As we are all aware, the policy thrust of Mr President supports the re-energising of our business environment to drive faster import clearance and grow our capacity for exports, Our emphasis has been to promote initiatives that speak to Trade facilitation and economic development. “It is a matter of regret that criminal elements in the international supply chain are exploiting our pro-trade stance to commit atrocities bordering on national security breaches”.
“The attempts to test our will through the importation of dangerous cargo through this port has necessitated the declaration of a state of emergency in Onne Port, coming on the heels of a seizure of a huge cache of arms a couple of months ago. It is disheartening that perpetrators have not backed down on their illegal acts. Recent intelligence and seizures have revealed a disturbing trend; Onne Port is increasingly being used as a destination for dangerous and illicit cargo. The scale and nature of these illegal importations pose a significant threat to our national security and the health of our citizens. Today, we are here to showcase yet another series of significant seizures made by the diligent officers of the Area 2 Command. On display are twelve containers of illicit goods intercepted through a combination of intelligence gathering, inter-agency collaboration, and meticulous physical examination. Seizures on Display include: Three (3) x 40-feet containers: Containing 562,600 bottles of 100ml cough syrup with codeine and 3,150 pieces of chilly cutters, with a Paid Duty Value (DPV) of N4,716,573,846.
“Others are, three x 40-feet containers containing 380,000 bottles of 100ml cough syrup with codeine, 24,480,000 tablets of Royal Tramadol Hydrochloride, 5,350,000 tablets of Tapentadol and Carisoprodol, and other items, with a DPV of N17,432,506,000 were seized”.
According to the report, more seized items were, “Five (5) x 40-feet containers; Containing 892,400 bottles of 100ml cough syrup with codeine, 1,300,000 tablets of 50mg Really Extra Diclofenac, 7,250,000 tablets of 5mg Trodol Benzhexol, and other items, with a DPV of N8, 128,568,295,90. This very action of the Nigeria Customs Service, further complicated the hope of how soon the fight against drug trafficking could be brought to a halt owing to its high profile nature.
Another hair-raising report of the illicit drug deal has it that when NDLEA bursted a Snake-Guarded Shrine Used For Storing Illicit Drugs sometime ago in Edo State. This very news report was published in The Tide Newspaper on June 24, 2024. According to the report, NDLEA said its operatives uncovered a shrine, guarded by a snake, being used for storing illicit drugs, during an operation in Edo State. The Agency in a statement by its spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, added that its operatives discovered a specially constructed large hole in a wall, hidden behind wallpapers and fetish objects used for drug storage. It further noted that methamphetamine, Loud, Colorado and Arizona, all strong strains of cannabis with a total weight of 8.743kg among others, were recovered from the shrine.
To be cont’d
King Onunwor
The persistent clash between farmers and herders in Nigeria has been a longstanding issue. These conflicts, often, over resources like land and water, have led to loss of lives, destruction of property, displacement of large numbers of people, deep-seated mistrust between communities and insecurity. Herders, traditionally nomadic, move their livestock in search of grazing land and water. Farmers, on the other hand, require the same resources for their crops. This competition often leads to clashes, especially in areas where land is becoming increasingly scarce due to population growth, climate change, and environmental degradation. As these clashes intensify, there has been a growing call for sustainable solutions. Two weeks ago, President Bola Tinubu took a bold step towards tackling the issue by inaugurating the Presidential Committee on Implementation of Livestock Reforms and creating the Ministry of Livestock Development.
The committee which has the president as the chairman and the former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Attahiru Jega as the deputy chairman has the mandate to address obstacles to agricultural productivity and open up new opportunities which benefit farmers, herders, processors, and distributors in the livestock-farming value chain as well as propose recommendations aimed at fostering a peaceful co-existence between herders and farmers, ensuring the security and economic well-being of Nigerians.The establishment of the Ministry of Livestock Development was part of the recommendations of the National Livestock Reforms Committee. Part of the 21 recommendations submitted to the president include: “This agenda should include the establishment and resuscitation of grazing reserves as suggested by many experts and well-meaning Nigerians and other methods of land utilisation.
“Create the Ministry of Livestock Resources in line with practice in many other West African countries. In the alternative, Federal and State Governments should expand the scope of existing Departments of Livestock Production to address the broader needs of the industry,” among others. Experts in the agricultural sector have posited that the livestock industry can create millions of jobs directly in farming, processing, and distribution, and indirectly in related sectors like feed production, veterinary services, and marketing. It provides livelihoods for rural populations, helping to reduce poverty and improve the quality of life in rural areas. It also increases the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and foreign exchange earnings through the exports of livestock and livestock products such as meat, dairy, wool and leather.
According to them, a well-funded livestock industry supports the growth of agro-processing sectors, such as meat packing, dairy processing, and leather manufacturing, adds value to raw products and creates additional economic activity as well as stimulates the development of supply chains, including logistics, packaging, and retail, contributing to broader economic growth. It enhances economic resilience by diversifying the agricultural sector and providing a buffer against crop failures or other agricultural shocks and many more. Some other agriculturists have also opined that the livestock industry in Nigeria is currently underdeveloped and that by the creation of the ministry of livestock development will open up the industry which will be a huge money spinner for Nigeria.
Reports have shown that a Livestock Ministry can play a pivotal role in mitigating conflicts between farmers and herders by implementing policies and programmes aimed at fostering coexistence and sustainable resource management. The Ministry can work towards clearly demarcating grazing routes and farming areas. This would reduce instances of trespassing and accidental crop destruction, a common flashpoint for conflict. While introducing rotational grazing systems can ensure that land is used sustainably, preventing overgrazing and land degradation, establishing water points and boreholes specifically for livestock can reduce competition for water resources. Similarly, promoting the development of pasturelands through reseeding and controlled burns can improve grazing conditions.
According to a veterinary doctor, Dr Andrew Obadiah, by providing training for herders on sustainable livestock practices and for farmers on conflict resolution, both parties can understand the importance of coexistence. He said that extension services of the ministry can offer advice on improving livestock health and productivity, reducing the need for large herds and extensive grazing. “Setting up local committees involving both farmers and herders to mediate disputes can provide a platform for dialogue and peaceful resolution. Encouraging community-based conflict early warning systems can help prevent clashes before they escalate”, he emphasised.For Mrs. Stella Ugwu, a farmer, having a ministry dedicated to the development of the livestock industry can help in diversifying income sources for both farmers and herders and in turn reduce dependence on land.
”For instance, promoting agro-pastoralism can provide farmers with livestock and herders with agricultural produce”, she explained, adding that providing incentives for adopting sustainable practices, such as subsidies for fodder production or crop insurance, can ease economic pressures. Ugwu was however of the opinion that the creation of a new ministry to handle livestock affairs was uncalled for, since the job can effectively be done by the Technical and Service Department of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and food security and its equivalent on the states level.In some countries, the establishment of a Livestock Ministry or similar bodies has shown promising results. For example, Ethiopia’s Ministry of Agriculture includes a dedicated department for livestock which has successfully implemented programmes to improve pastoral livelihoods and reduce conflicts.
In Kenya, the establishment of the National Drought Management Authority has helped manage resources better, thus reducing clashes between herders and farmers during dry seasons.The president of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Othman Ngelzarma, sees the Ministry of Livestock Development achieving the same feat for Nigeria in the near future. He told newsmen that, “MACBAN expresses its deepest appreciation to the Federal Government for creating a ministry of livestock to unlock the trillion-naira livestock economy and create qualitative and productive jobs across the value chain to improve the Nigerian economy. With this development, MACBAN believes the hope of the Nigerian pastoralists is now achieved under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
However, the Middle Belt Forum took a different view of the proposed Ministry of Livestock Development, saying it was not enough to sustainably resolve the decades-long farmers-herders crisis in the country. According to the National President of the association, Mr. Bitrus Pogu, what is needed to end the perennial farmers/herders clashes is a deliberate action by regulatory bodies and the government to stop criminal elements from carrying out deadly attacks on innocent Nigerians, mainly farmers. Hear him: “If the reason for creating the Ministry is to stop clashes, I think it is wrong because all of these attacks and killings that are happening have nothing to do with conflicts between farmers and herders. “Farmers have never connived at any given time to go and attack herders, but rather, criminals who happen to be Fulani gang up and attack farmers, kill, maim and chase them out of their ancestral homes.
“Then, the Fulani will come and occupy them. So, it is more about invasion, criminality, and terrorism. And the majority of those they hire to do these evils are not even those who have cattle. So, a deliberate action has to be taken by the government against the perpetrators, which will address the criminality.” Mr. Pogu suggested that the government should adopt ranching for productivity and enduring peace between the pastoralists and farmers in particular and the entire country in general.While the establishment of a Livestock Ministry presents a viable solution, it is not without challenges. Funding constraints, bureaucratic inefficiencies, and corruption can hamper its effectiveness. Additionally, deeply ingrained cultural practices and mistrust between farmers and herders can be difficult to overcome.
Critics argue that without a holistic approach that includes land reform, climate change adaptation, and broader economic development, a Livestock Ministry alone may not be sufficient. Therefore, it must work in tandem with other governmental and non-governmental bodies to ensure comprehensive solutions. “A dedicated Livestock Ministry, with its focus on sustainable resource management, conflict resolution, and economic incentives, offers a promising avenue to address the root causes of these clashes. However, its success depends on effective implementation, adequate funding, and the cooperation of all stakeholders involved. With the right strategies and commitment, devoid of any political or selfish interest, it can play a crucial role in fostering peace and prosperity in affected regions”, they advised.
Calista Ezeaku