In a candid interview with Arise TV from 2:54, former Niger Delta militant leader Asari Dokubo has shed light on the longstanding struggles and marginalization faced by the people of the Niger Delta region within Nigeria.
Dokubo recounted the historical context, stating, “Before independence, the Niger Delta people made it very clear that for us to be part of Nigeria, Nigeria must be negotiated on our own terms. We made it very clear to the British.”
In response to the Niger Delta’s demands, Dokubo explained that “the British set up the Wilkins Commission to look into the fears of the so-called minorities and to allay those fears.” He noted that the commission’s findings led to the establishment of a “special area for the people of Ijaw and the people of Andoni.”
“There has been a culture in Nigeria of trying to subdue the people of the Niger Delta, robbing us of our gains,” Dokubo lamented, highlighting the long-standing pattern of marginalization faced by the region.
Through this candid interview, Dokubo aimed to shed light on the historical context of the Niger Delta people’s grievances, emphasizing the importance of recognizing and addressing their unique needs and rights within the larger Nigerian nation.
Dokubo’s remarks underscore the enduring struggle for autonomy and fair treatment that has characterized the Niger Delta’s relationship with the Nigerian state, a dynamic that continues to shape the region’s political and social landscape.