Analysis Of Boro's Struggle For The Ijaw Nation

Analysis Of Isaac Adaka Boro Struggle For The Ijaw Nation

When the Nigerian Civil War started, the military intentions of the coup plotters were not that of tribal, but tribal sentiments came in as a result of some sections of the country being more affected than others and therefore, there was a counter coup. These counter coups were still expressions or fears the tribal leaders had expressed before the independence. The resultant effect of these tribal sentiments finally resulted into the Nigerian Civil War.

The Nigerian Civil War was fought primarily on tribal sentiments, and each of these tribes played different roles in order to protect their own tribal interest.

In the case of the north, their primary objective was to ensure that leadership remains with them and the protection of their groundnut pyramid industry. While in the case of the west, their primary objective is to ensure that their cocoa industry do not fall into the hands of whosoever comes into power and as such they were trying to balance between who should win at the end of the day. In the bid of this, they ended up agreeing with both Biafra and the North. While in the case of the Igbos, since they were already in the civil service in large numbers and also knowing that geographically the oil producing area is within their territory and as such they could easily protect both the oil and coal industries. While in the case of the minorities, since they do not have strong representation at the centre, they were constrained to fight along their various geographical representations.

The Ijaws who are the fourth largest tribe were grouped into the Western and Eastern Regions of Nigeria. However, they felt, the Igbos could not be trusted. They convinced Chief Ojukwu to call a meeting between the various tribes that will form Biafra as an independent state. The essence of the meeting was to discuss the parameters by which these tribes will be recognised as a state if they win the war. The response the Igbos gave was that, the status quo remains the same, meaning that, if you were a minority in the former state (Nigeria) then, those tribes will still remain minorities. The Ijaws were not comfortable with the response.
This led to the Ijaws pulling out of the Biafran state. The Igbos had under-estimated the determination of the Ijaws and even considered them as insignificant.

This misunderstanding finally led Port Harcourt being captured by the Nigerian troops with Boro. The Ijaws action relates to Late Chief Bola Ige’s statement ‘The relationship between Nigerians should not be like that of the big fish and Jonah in the bible, rather it should be symbiotic’. This statement simply reminds me the actions of the Ijaws. The implication is that no Nigerian should be treated like a second class citizen rather everyone should be treated equally. Furthermore, the Ijaws cannot leave the stomach of the big fish and jump into the stomach of the Lion, who will first chew them before swallowing. This implies that we rather remain with the devil we know than the angel we do not know.

WHO IS LATE MAJOR ADAKA ISSAC BORO?

This is an Ijawman from Kaiama town of Kaiama local government area in Bayelsa state of Nigeria and a Christian with a military background. He fought along with the Nigerian troops to ensure that Nigeria was kept as one country. He died at the age of 30 years, and betrayed by some tribal leaders who presently are still parading themselves as national leaders.

His 12 days revolution was killed by either General Obasanjo or General Adekunle (black scorpion) who are all Yorubas. This is not surprising because the Yorubas have continue for a long time betraying the Ijawman, using various means as cover including the use of Land Use Decree, the western press, bombing of Odi town, using the Benin and Itsekiri’s as fronts to struggle for land while ensuring that oil companies’ headquarters are located within their territory.

Boro was married and had children and his principles were primarily national but they were not recognised and up till today, they’re still not recognised. His concepts were influenced by his home upbringing, which is, identifying with the truth just like any other Ijaw man. He had friends across every tribe irrespective of religion and sentiment; primarily his beliefs are that “what goes to the goose must go to the gander”.

The implication of this is that Boro felt, if resources of the major tribes are sent to the centre at the rate of 50% while the remaining 50% is retained for the development of that area where the resources come from, why are the resources from the Niger Delta shared without consideration of the area that produces it? Does Nigeria have two types of constitution, one for the major tribes, while other for the minority tribe? Likewise states and local governments were created on tribal sentiments and he realised that the Ijaws had no state.

His observations later led to the creation of the Mid-western state and later Rivers state and presently to Delta and Bayelsa states. However, these states were re-absorbed either by the major tribes or minor tribes that are organised and represented at the Federal level.

To Be Continued.