To Focus Conversation And Influence Choice On The Eve On INC Elections 2021 By Ken Lewis Allagoa (Esq)

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Essay by Ken Lewis Allagoa (Esq)


I have been reflecting on the imminent Ijaw National Congress general elections -- the need, timing and urgency; the issues, challenges and ways forward; the process, candidates and people – Ijaw people.  As I reflect, I increasingly engage the solemnity of the process and the overriding desire of every Ijawman and woman to deliver a new INC. 


With thoughts of the INC election, it’s easy to forget that we are in uncertain and challenging times with the health and financial consequences of Covid.  In this, our country appears to be on the brink, compounded by ethnic and religious dichotomies.  Our political leaders seem to be bereft of solutions to challenges of insecurity, which are now constant with violence a robust communication tool across the country.  In the result, women and children are carted away at will by kidnappers and bandits alike - from homes, schools and on the road.  Ignorant folks – North, East, West and South romanticise about the 1967 to 1970 civil war – completely oblivious of its dire consequences and the country is now enveloped in confusion.  No effective government response, none.  This is the state of our nation.


How do we as Ijaw people, historically marginalised, fit within these uncertainties, challenges and apparent absence of effective government and response that define our current reality as Nigerians? This is the question that draws the imminent INC elections closer to the hearts and minds of every Ijaw man and woman. 


As the delegates prepare to vote for a new INC, they need to understand the uncertainties and challenges of the moment and this unique opportunity for a new INC.  They need to understand the huge responsibility on their shoulders to do what is right – as they vote - for Ijaw people.  They also need to understand the lofty trust bestowed on them by their clans, zones and chapters. 


Delegates must try to remember their own personal struggles and those of their relatives, friends and associates.  Delegates need to understand that we all need a new effective INC to facilitate answers to existential questions.  They have the opportunity to cast a vote that contributes to the design for answers to existential questions.  For example, how do we as Ijaw people, historically marginalised, fit within the uncertainties, challenges and apparent absence of effective government and response in Nigeria?


So this election is not just about rebuilding INC.  It’s also about an effective INC to facilitate answers to existential questions including - What is our shared vision for the future? How do we fit in the current uncertainties? How do we respond to the current challenges? Where and how do we see Ijaw people in 3 to 5 years time?  What steps do we need to take to get there? How? When?


Delegates must understand that these are not academic questions, so this not the time to desire only intellectuals, academic giants, eloquence and charisma.  Doubtless, they are all fine leadership characteristics, but more than all that - at this time - we need courage, confidence, tenacity and reliability.  We need a new INC that will be doggedly committed to longer term defined goals.  This is our opportunity to self-determine our leaders, who would motivate and inspire Ijaw folks to answer existential questions.


As life isn’t fair, many argue that our country hasn’t been fair to the average Ijawman.  He has all the resources, yet he is politically and economically excluded and irrelevant.  This must be addressed and the role of the INC is to realise it is crucial. 


From my personal point of view, INC needed a fresh approach – away from mediocrity; a naked restart and new vision for self actualisation.  This required new textiles, bespoke designs and sheer grit.  I wanted us to be ambitious.  This meant retiring, not just populist ideals, and narratives, but also our current class of Ijaw leadership.  There is anecdotal evidence that they have always been risk averse.  I felt an all-encompassing, systemic, strategic and out-come focused programme anchored on audacious leadership was a minimum standard going forward. 


But this isn’t about me or what I think.  It’s about existential questions that we must begin to answer with a sense of urgency.  We must work with what we have.  Thus, in the confused and seemingly violent agenda that underlines the myth of 2023, our people across communities, must now stand up like men and women with character – in families, groups, platforms, town halls etc to select and influence their delegates, being mindful that this election is also about answers to existential questions.


Our people must understand that this exercise is ultimately about them, each of them.  INC and the incoming NEC are vehicles with which they can drive forward our desires, respond to national conversations and ensure we have a recognised seat and position at the national table.  Our people have to understand the uncertainties and challenges of the moment – the existential questions that need answers.


Questions that can’t be answered by self-aggrandisement nor by the usual placard carrying violent demonstrations; questions that can’t be answered by the usual newspaper statements and articles signed by a million and one self- seeking folks or the usual unnecessary and counter-productive violence; questions that can’t be answered by being subservient to self-seeking politicians in our ranks and in government or by the usual divisive operating models of some self-seeking Ijaw leaders; questions that can’t be answered by WhatsApp group sycophants and Facebook tigers. 


Quite simply, questions that can’t be answered by adopting the same old approaches that have thus far kept Ijaw folks in a vicious circle and contributed to sustain underdevelopment in Ijawland. So we must elect leaders that can reform and reposition the congress in a digital age, respond strategically and digitally (from a socio-cultural position) to the many challenges facing Ijawnation and enable the range of talents and potentials in Ijawland to be unlocked. 


The incoming NEC must align the constitution with modern realities; build in authentic Alternative Dispute Resolution mechanisms that would keep our litigious folks out of courtrooms.  It’s sheer nonsense for example, that, the 34 year old Leader and Chancellor of Austria; 35 year old Prime Minister of Finland; and 40 year old Prime Minister of New Zealand would be too young and so don’t qualify to be in INC, if they were Ijaw people.  Equally, if it were today, Timipre Sylva as 43 year old governor of Bayelsa State and probably many members of his cabinet would be too young and will not qualify to be in INC.  


INC also needs to collate useful data about our people, where they are and in what sectors they are engaged in and how.  We need new leaders that can pull together and unify the divergent, complex and entrenched views and interests across Ijawland. 


Our environment is as much our asset as is what is buried beneath our land.  Yet these and lack of access to oil wealth have been a cause of so much distress.  From Arogbo to Akassa, a toxic combination of environmental and resource control crises has claimed so many lives. 


Soot is embedding longer terms health challenges for our people, so is the unending gas flaring.  I don’t want to sound like a broken record by illuminating the well-known and documented details.  But I can say this: the incoming NEC must understand the significance of these issues and prioritise responses. They are issues that go to the heart of the existential questions that we must begin to answer.


I watched the recent debate for the position of President and was impressed by the presentations.  Each of the candidates seems to understand the key challenges facing us as a people, with some ideas on how to respond.  They mentioned the need for Ijaw unity, to build national and international strategic partnerships and work through existing networks.  These are the building blocks we so desperately desire and urgently need. A permanent Ijaw Intellectual Policy Think-tank and International Security Alliance would complement those suggestions.


But I would like to hear more about compensation for the pollution and destruction of our environment for over half a century.  I would like to hear more about the restoration of the principle of derivation based on indigenous people having full control and ownership of the natural resources in their communities and I would like to hear more about positive action measures for our youths.  Indeed, I would like to hear more about actualising the Federal Character principle.


But I understand that the INC isn’t government and our expectations must be proportionate because funding has always been a major challenge, but this can easily be a lazy excuse.  This is because funding is equally a challenge for us all – even governments (local, national and international).  With planning, novel and innovative strategies the options for raising funds can become clearer.  Crowd funding, individual donations, grants form businesses owned by wealthy Ijaw folks, foreign grants, tasking Ijaw people in Diaspora to put their money where their people are.  There are many other options.  Even the well-established, most reliable and authentic Ijaw platform across continents - The Ijaw Nation Forum (INF) ably led by Eng. Ben Okoro has already created a funding vehicle which has close to N1 million (and growing daily), contributed by well-meaning Ijaw sons and daughters across the globe.


So delegates must vote with eagle eyes, keeping their hearts and minds focused on the need for answers to existential questions that we must all begin to answer together.  But let us also realise that we all have a role, each of us.  We can’t continue to watch developments like pedestrians or sit back in despair.  We are all stakeholders.  We must all unite behind the new NEC to contribute useful citizen-options and non-violent economics, with motivations of moral obligation and new notions of public accountability.  This will produce viable outcomes that will make all the difference to the lot of Ijaw folks across the globe.  May God continue to help us all.


Ken Lewis-Allagoa (Esq)

 

April 2021

 

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