Why Was Delta State Not Enough?

By Gaga Ekeh

Delta State in Nigeria

Time was when the intellectual battle amongst the intelligentia of the Urhobo concerned sovereignty.  In those days the matter was of "Delta State," to be carved out of the then Bendel State, one of the "Nineteen States of the Federation." This "federation" of states had begun as an administrative outpost for a colonial concern which had several other such outposts on the continent.  So, it made sense to organize its governship, upon pacification, in a centralized bureaucracy partial to the sovereignty of the Colonial Power.

Political independence then spurred agitation for a structure more sensitive to the constituent identities, however those could be determined, of the independent state.  This led to a triple state federation which was proven too weak for such autonomy ever be granted any such constituency again.  The Biafra war was the price of such knowledge.  If the independence of Nigeria is non-negotiable, it is so enshrined in military policy in places like Gusau and Ibadan where, and at the officer's mess, men talk in hushed tones of "Delta State" a code namefor the re-emergence of that constituency in Nigeria that can, once more, threaten the leverage and thus authority of a federal center.

But Delta State in 1979 was just one more advocation that the intellectuals of the Urhobo at the time gave to Pope John Paul II amongst other articulated demands.  Human rights, universal healthcare, a homeland for the Urhobo people. Delta State.

But that would mean creating NEW states, the Pope declared.  The intellectuals pointed out to the old man that such would be in keeping with preventing the military from entering Code Delta, where a large constituency could decimate a weak center.  Create Delta State to Prevent Delta State.  A good idea, if alliterated properly.  And so, out of Bendel State Delta State was created.

But it wasn't enough.  For today "Delta State" exists in Gusau and Illorin and Ibadan as well as in the hands of a political elite.  "Delta State" is unified politically but unable to provoke the dividends of democracy to prevent its sons and daughters from spawning a near civil war, remarkable in dimensions, and breath taking for the light arms and whatnot.  Why was Delta State not enough?  If this question is answered by our intellectual leaders, it would help, at least this young president wannabe, understand what about the creation of Delta State did not prevent Code Delta in the Delta.  Where lies the accountability of the sovereign people of Delta State?  It is a question, I'm sure, that will determine--to a large extent—what we mean when we say "sovereignty" so that if we DO have a "Sovereign Conference" there is some sort of evidence... some proof that those who use the word do so by understanding, Nigeria, its meaning.  Delta State.

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