…as they decry alleged marginalization
In a display of unity and resolve, the Niger Delta Ex-Agitators Forum convened a world press conference Tuesday at The Noot Event Centre in Port Harcourt.
The event, which was attended by hundreds of ex-agitators from across the Niger Delta region, was chaired by Amb. Dr. Alban Paulinus (General Skillar), who steered the discussions towards critical issues threatening the political stability and unity of Nigeria.
According to them, the conference was a clarion call for justice, equity, and an end to allege systemic marginalization of Southern leadership within the country’s political landscape.
The forum’s statement was a resounding critique of the perceived political injustices faced by the Southern region of Nigeria, particularly in the wake of recent agitations against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
They drew historical parallels, recalling the tenure of former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, a Southerner, who they argue was unjustly denied a second term due to opposition from Northern political forces.
They pointed out that a similar pattern is emerging with President Tinubu, as some Northern groups are already calling for his removal barely a year into his administration.
This, they claimed, starkly contrasts with the treatment of Northern leaders, particularly during the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari, who served two full terms despite significant security challenges. The forum decried this disparity as a destabilizing force that threatens the unity and integrity of Nigeria.
They called for an immediate end to this trend of undermining Southern leadership, warning that continued provocations might leave them with no choice but to take decisive actions to protect their region and identity.
In their address, the Niger Delta ex-agitators expressed unequivocal support for President Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope Agenda,” which they described as a robust blueprint for national development. They emphasized that the President’s commitment to comprehensive reforms is crucial for addressing the multifaceted challenges facing Nigeria today.
The forum noted that the success of these reforms is essential not just for the Niger Delta, but for the nation as a whole.
A significant portion of the forum’s address was dedicated to highlighting the historical bias against Southern Senate presidents, who they claim have been systematically targeted for impeachment by Northern interests.
They cited the cases of former Senate presidents from the South, including Senator Evan Enwerem, Dr. Chuba Okadigbo, Anyim Pius Anyim, Adolphus Wabara, and Ken Nnamani, none of whom were allowed to complete their tenures.
In contrast, Northern Senate presidents such as David Mark, Bukola Saraki, and Ahmed Lawan served their terms without significant challenges.
The recent calls for the impeachment of the current Senate president, Godswill Obot Akpabio, a Southerner, were highlighted as further evidence of this troubling trend.
The ex-agitators warned that they would not tolerate such actions and vowed to resist any attempts to undermine Akpabio’s leadership with all means at their disposal.
They asserted that the Senate Presidency must symbolize national unity rather than be used as a tool for regional domination.
Beyond political representation, the Niger Delta ex-agitators demanded the establishment of a South-South Development Commission, pointing that the commission is necessary to ensure equity and justice in regional development, distinct from the existing Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
The forum called on Senator Akpabio and other federal legislators from the South-South to initiate and fast-track the passage of a bill for the creation of this commission.
The conference concluded with a call for solidarity among Southern and Middle Belt regions. The Niger Delta ex-agitators urged their brethren from the South West, South East, and Middle Belt to unite under a Southern Nigerian Movement.
This movement, they proposed, would be dedicated to defending and advancing the political, economic, and regional interests of the South and Middle Belt in the face of mounting challenges.
In their final remarks, the forum declared their readiness to defend Nigeria’s unity, integrity, and prosperity, but with a firm demand for justice, equity, and fairness for all regions.
They called on all Nigerians and the international community to recognize that the time for change is now, and the time for justice is long overdue.
As the conference ended, the ex-agitators’ voices echoed a profound message: the unity and future of Nigeria depend on the equitable treatment of all its regions, and the Niger Delta stands ready to lead the charge for a just and prosperous nation.
