Nigeria Should Create a State for Ogoni: Stop the Games and Stop Pitting Ogonis Against Themselves

The Nigerian government should stop pretending not to know what Ogonis want. It should create a state for the Ogoni people. Ogonis have given so much in mineral resources and blood for the country’s good but got nothing back, not even respect except pollution, degradation and death. A state for Ogoni is the prerequisite for further oil production in the land.

If this state which the Ogoni Bill of Rights (OBR) describes as political autonomy or internal self-determination like the current 36 states of the federation with about 26 created on ethnic prescriptions, is created the issues of political economy and development will be resolved.

In short, Ogoni, being an oil producing state, will directly benefit 13 percent from the derivation funds and more funds from abundant gas reserves. The Ogoni Bill of Rights which the government has is clear on “The Autonomy Option,” that arrangement by whatever name called that guarantees the control of Ogoni political, economic and sociocultural affairs by Ogonis.

Given Ogoni’s historical background and contribution to the development and growth of the country, she’s overqualified for a state. Population isn’t a core consideration even though the Ogoni population is about two million or more and all states or provinces aren’t equal in population, whether in Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa or India not to mention America, etc. Nations with a population that’s less than one million also coexist with those that are one hundred million, and over one billion.

A state is about self-determination or the ability of the people to control and manage themselves with support from the central government when needed yet such a state also has a responsibility to contribute by paying taxes or otherwise to the central government. There are also states as common in Nigeria which may have five to ten or more million in population but were created with Ogoni, Ijaw and other Niger delta communities’ oil money. They’ve continued to depend on oil money for survival without which they may not survive for 12 months; and they also contribute little, or nothing yet are endowed with solid and liquid minerals which proceeds may not be paid to or taxed by the federal government.

Meanwhile, Ogoni demand for political autonomy that’s a state is synonymous with the self-determination experience in Nigeria as hinted above therefore not extraneous or a fancy demand that’s unheard of and unachievable. Why must Ogoni continue to be the golden eggs layer or goose but can’t benefit from its own eggs including a state to drive development home to the people who have given so much to Nigeria yet oppressed and marginalized by the federal and River State government?

This is unjust, unfair, inhumane, dehumanizing and criminal on the part of Nigeria. Ogonis therefore demand justice and equity. To achieve the needed peace and economic activities in Ogoni, Nigeria has no option but to do right by the Ogoni people beginning with state creation which constitutional amendment will make possible. Once this state is created other demands shall fall through.

Let’s look at the bigger picture here by applying strategic, long-term calculations that’s leadership and management wisdom. By this I mean, imagine the development, jobs that will be created in a new state for these cheated, oppressed and traumatized people. Imagine that nearly half if not more than half of the Niger delta problems would have been solved, and the state will work with the federal government, oil companies and other stakeholders to put in place safeguards to prevent oil spills, pollution and properly manage them when they occur, something Nigeria and Rivers State have proven incapable of doing alone, the same way it’s wallowed in a mono-economy---nearly total dependence on oil and nothing else despite huge population willing to create more if invested in.

Therefore, if the Nigerian government is serious and honest, realizing how dishonesty and disrespect, other shenanigans thwarted previous attempts to achieve peace and cooperation in Ogoni, Mr. Bola Ahmed Tinubu should stop inviting Ogonis for talks about their demands and create a state for Ogoni---problem solved! He’d discontinue meetings such as the recent one held on Tuesday, January 21, 2025, which had the Rivers State governor and minister of the federal capital territory in attendance making it a Rivers State meeting with Ogonis in attendance. Such meetings are largely about oil resumption and not the people’s interest and their demand for a state.

Ogonis can meet the Nigerian government or any other entity, properly represent their people and bring home a people-oriented investment, and development measures, if representatives are carefully chosen by the people. They don’t need the help of Rivers State government which is a prominent marginalization force against Ogoni.

It’s evident that the issue of Nigeria isn’t insufficient amount of oil pumped daily but grossly inept or incompetent rulership hence mismanagement, classic and organized theft of crude oil by people in high places according to reports and money remitted (and not remitted by NNPC for months) to the national and states’ treasuries. This implies that the production of oil in Ogoni will not end the above menace and dilemma rather it may exacerbate them as there would be more money in the federal coffers to steal or mismanage. Notwithstanding this reality, the Tinubu-led government may have genuine intentions to resolve the Ogoni conflict; increase oil output and invest to reduce the current hardship and hunger devastating the country.

Consequently, the reality of the country predicated on decades of mistakes by a dangerously selfish, greedy, incompetent political class and rulership that is grossly corrupt should guide Mr. Tinubu to prioritize openness and honesty in his planning. His deeds and communication with the Ogonis and officials of the federal government saddled with the responsibility of working with the Ogoni people should be humane. A quest for lasting peace should begin with lasting justice that is a state for Ogoni. Accountability is also important and must be taken seriously.

Lastly, Mr. Tinubu’s seeming disposition, particularly how he spoke well of his experience and relationship with some Ogonis during the pro-democracy struggle and expressing understanding of what happened to Ogonis, and how to honor Ogoni martyrs gives a glimpse of hope. The practical work guided by respect for the Ogonis is needed given the fact that the solution to the problem is before us courtesy the Ogoni Bill of Rights.

Below is the core demands stipulated in the Ogoni Bill of Rights (OBR); and for the naysayers, I hope this will rest your misplaced angst as the bill does not and has not at any point included any demand for a country or independence of Ogoni from Nigeria:

1. Political control of Ogoni affairs by Ogoni people;
2. The right to the control and use of a fair proportion of OGONI economic resources for Ogoni development;
3. Adequate and direct representation as of right in all Nigerian national institutions;
4. The use and development of Ogoni languages in all Nigerian territory;
5. The full development of Ogoni culture;
6. The right to religious freedom;
7. The right to protect the OGONI environment and ecology from further degradation.

We make the above demand in the knowledge that it does not deny any other ethnic group in the Nigerian Federation of their rights and that it can only conduce to peace, justice and fair-play and hence stability and progress in the Nigerian nation. We make the demand in the belief that, as Obafemi Awolowo has written: In a true federation, each ethnic group no matter how small, is entitled to the same treatment as any other ethnic group, no matter how large. We demand these rights as equal members of the Nigerian Federation who contribute and have contributed to the growth of the Federation and have a right to expect full returns from that Federation.

Ben Ikari is the author of Ken Saro-Wiwa and MOSOP: The Story and Revelations; The Squirrels and Lions: How Honest Communication Sealed Their Friendship, and Tortoise as the Smartest in Its Kingdom: Intervened During Hunger Crisis. [email protected]