The War in Rivers State: The Untold Story

The war in Rivers State Nigeria has really generated tensions that have touched every part of Nigeria. As a matter of fact, Nigerians have witnessed strange events going by what we usually have. Take for instance, Nigerians would not have known that an honourable member of an honourable house coould summon the courage in a dishonourable matter to make an attempt to murder a man that had always sat with him in same house. This is really strange. The honourable member was suddenly possessed by the Aluu spirit.

It is also strange that governors from the most insecure region could gather to embark on a solidarity visit in Rivers. These governors did not prevent the incessant killings of Southerners (including Rivers indigenes) in their respective states. They did not even remember that Nigerians once called for their removal when the on-going emergency rule was proclaimed in their states. It is also strange that even governors from South West embarked on same mission. However, how many governors did same when a similar case was witnessed in Abia, Anambra, Plateau, Ekiti, Oyo and other states in the federation?

It is also strange that the first Lady would embark on a press conference to comment on the lingering crises. Even Turai that once led us never did. This is really strange.

However, the matter in Rivers state today can not be solved by neither Amaechi nor the Jonathans. It is a fundamental problem that requires the contributions of the people ( not sycophants). The genesis of the problem is the Okirika water front. The area is jointly owned by the Okirikas and the Ikwerres. A greater portion of the area was given by the Okirikas under the leadership of Chief Daniel Oju Kalio who was the paramount leader of the Okirikas afetr the discovery of coal in Enugu. The area was given for the establishment of a seaport for the exportation of the coal. When the area was not enough for the purpose for which it was taken, an arrangement was made in 1913 for the extension of the area. Since the Okirikas could not give more of their land, the neighbouring Ikwerre communities were relocated and their land given for same project. As a Corp member in Rivers State in 2005, I listened to an Okirika man who was even threatening that they could go to war with the Ikwerres if the later tamper with this environment. According to him, the contribution of the Ikwerres is not as large as what the Okirikas gave. Furthermore, The Ikwerres have the advantage of being the owners of the Port Harcourt City. As a result, they also believe the own everything in the City including the water front.

Going by the peoples culture, while the Okirikas are known for living close to water, the Ikwerres are not so. This may go a long way to prove that the very part of the area in question might belong to the Okirikas and the most affected people in the demolition must be the Okirikas. From my observation as a neutral person, I am sure that the area is jointly owned by the two people. This why I say that a meeting of the Amaechis and the Jonathans is not enough to solve the problem at hand. It can only cover it for a while. The intrusion of the South Western leaders will only add salt to the wound. This is because since a Yoruba man can comfortably leave his native home to reside in Lagos and be buried in his plot of land with nobody asking questions, a typical man from either South East or South South thinks of being carried home. As a result, knowledge of common boundaries is very important.

Should this really affect government's business if the Governor wants to embark on development project in this area? The answer is NO in capital letter. However, the delicate nature of this matter requires a proper settlement of these people for peace to reign. Kalu in Abia State once embarked on the creation of new Local Governments in the State. According to him, this would bring development close to the people. Meanwhile, his intention was to compensate his region to the detriment of the Ngwas. In Aba, he intended to create Aba Municipal with the intention removing the control of the City from the hands of the marginalized owners. The people of Abia opposed it and the project met its untimely death. The intention of the political leader is important even in the case of Rivers. Indisputably, Amaechi is an achiever but whose interest is being served by the unpopular demolition of the water front? Does it favour the Okirikas who claim true ownership or the Ikwerres? To the Okirikas, the Ikwerre man is Igbo while he sees himself as Ijaw. Is this not a system to deny the Ikwerres of the little contribution they made in the area during colonialism. See where Enugu man's coal is causing generational problems.

Without doubt, this problem has become multifaceted due to the lingering crisis in the yet to be concluded NGF election and the popularity of Amaechi in the camp of the opposition. However, should this jeopardize regional interest? To the opposition, Amaechi is a hero. To the Ikwerres, he is a true son of the soil but to the Okirikas, Amaechi is an Ikwerre war lord who has been able to touch the untouchable. hence, the war may continue.

Finally, I use this opportunity to call the Youths of Rivers State to use their heads well. Don't be deceived into fighting your brothers like Llod. This problem is just for a while and the garden City will bounce back. I also call the leaders of the Niger Delta to intervene into this matter. Lest I forget, the services of sycophants are no longer needed.

God bless Nigeria!