When it comes to issues impacting the Niger-Delta region and Nigeria in general, Ms. Ann-Kio Briggs, 72, is a powerful voice. In this interview with Vanguard, the rights activist, who was born in Rivers State and is a member of several ethnic organisations, discussed Rivers politics, the country’s current situation, and its future.

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What are the social and economic ramifications of President Bola Tinubu’s decision to dissolve the Niger-Delta Affairs Ministry?
We need to keep in mind the history of the Niger-Delta ministry. It was created for a purpose and through a procedure. Everyone was shocked by its dissolution, particularly those who had pushed and agitated to ensure that the Niger Delta saw reforms. That ministry was established by (late President Umaru Musa) Yar’Adua during a period when amnesty was being discussed and the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) was being considered. We insisted that ten percent go straight to the host communities.

Before we met with the Ministry of Niger-Delta, a lot had transpired. However, the president either received advice or made the decision that it would be better for his government to disband the Niger Delta ministry and form other commissions instead. Among these are the South-East and North-East Development Commissions. It brings to mind previous organisations, including those established before to the Willinks Commission, including the Basin authority and numerous others that were specifically designed for the Niger Delta.

We believe that once the Niger Delta receives something, everyone wants to receive the same thing. However, because of the negligence, no one wants to bear the pain that the Niger-Delta people endure because of oil and gas.

The Niger-Delta people have long been disregarded, ignored, and marginalised. Another act of disdain and indifference is the dissolution of the Niger Delta ministry. Saying “what can you do about it?” is analogous to that. We’ve already decided. The responses that followed that ministry’s demise are visible.

Upon its creation, the Niger-Delta Development Commission, or NDDC, was initially placed under the presidency. Later, under the direction of Godswill Akpabio, the current Senate President, they brought it to the Ministry of Niger Delta. The people of Niger-Delta have lost everything they own, and our people are partly to blame for this. I shall ask Akpabio if he was the driving force behind the Niger-Delta ministry’s demise if I encounter him even if he is currently the Senate President. We are currently unsure of the NDDC’s future. It’s depressing. It hurts. We feel like we’ve been used.

With around six development commissions, do you think Nigeria is subtly reverting to the previous system of regionalism?
That’s not the feeling I have. There are now six geopolitical zones. What would you do with the geopolitical zones if you were to discuss regionalism as such? Do you intend to return it to regions? Everyone should generate, manage, and control what they have if that is the case.

They developed themselves using the cacao that we had in the West. In the North, groundnuts were employed for self-development as well. However, with the exception of the Niger Delta, they are exploiting oil and gas to develop Nigeria. We are only receiving 13%. Since much of the labour that the Niger Delta people were expected to accomplish in the NDDC is being done by non-regional individuals, even that 13% is extremely low. Yes, they will claim that the commission is managed by the locals, yet one of the commission’s board members comes from the north. Why is he at that place?

The president cannot decide to return to regionalism alone. More akin to a referendum, it must be submitted to the Assembly. Changes don’t happen that way. Nobody ever wakes up and says, “We had a national anthem in the 1960s; I want to change the present anthem to the old one.” I have never seen it happen anyplace in the world. I’ve never seen something like that. Those are the issues that I find concerning.

One day, will we awaken to the news that the 13% derivation has been eliminated? Although the Nigerian government accuses oil thieves of stealing oil every day without knowing who they are, the western world claims that oil is no longer necessary. We even have oil thieves in positions of authority. The security forces that have occupied the Niger Delta since 1999 have a lot of concerns for the NNPC, including how this oil is being taken. They are aware of the theft of the oil.

Therefore, the policies are just confused when you term regionalism. It appears that restructuring is taking place, but you haven’t talked to anyone about it. We have been demanding reforms and reorganisation. You must talk to the people about those changes if you plan to implement them. This isn’t how policy changes are made. What is this livestock ministry about which they are speaking? Would the Ministry of Fish and Periwinkle be able to help us balance the equation as well?

As an elder from the Niger Delta, do you know if PANDEF or any other organisation intends to send a delegation to the president to overturn the Niger Delta Ministry’s dissolution?

I am in no position to discuss any plans that the ethnic nationalities of the Niger Delta who are impacted by this development may have in place. Yes, we are undoubtedly talking about it, but I am unable to do so at this time.

What are the implications for the general public of the initiative by some individuals in Rivers State to halt local government allocations?

The issue with Rivers is that some people have only ever engaged in politics throughout their life. African countries are the only ones where that situation is occurring. Before entering politics, some people in civilised nations have gone through certain phases of life, served in the Army, worked as diplomats, solicitors, and business owners, among other occupations.

Some people in Rivers State believe they were destined to be politicians. This has evolved from a personal interest into a political one. In this case, a small number of individuals have the power to decide what occurs in Rivers State. They are unaware that the people themselves are the source of today’s opposition. Rivers State’s political climate is extremely risky. In fact, even individuals who do it may become ill from it.

Everyone keeps bringing up a clause in the constitution that states that you lose your seat if you leave your party or post and join another one. Some people are unwilling to acknowledge that the local government has a three-year term. As directed by the Supreme Court, local government elections are taking place in every state. Siminalayi Fubara, the governor of Rivers State, is able to summon the RSIEC, the state electoral commission, to hold elections. Some people are conspiring with outsiders in the court and other political parties outside the state to deny their own citizens the benefits of democracy because they refused to comprehend this.

Some people believe they have the legal right to sue the Rivers State administration in order to deny them allocations.

Tinubu experienced the same event, which astounds me. Did Obasanjo kneel down and fold his hands when he was the governor of Lagos State and (then President Olusegun) refused to give the council areas? Will those who argued against its release to the state nonetheless receive it even if that allocation is withheld? The people will still receive it. This is crazy. Some members of the judiciary who are unsure of what to do are encouraging this.

A reconciliation committee has just been established by PANDEF to resolve the conflict between Nyesom Wike and Fubara. Given the President’s two failed attempts, will this endeavour produce any favourable results?

Remember that PANDEF is an organisation that includes all six of the Niger Delta’s states. The PANDEF resolution is legally binding inasmuch as it reflects the body’s wishes. There are many who disagree with that choice. I’m a PANDEF member. Therefore, it’s okay if it wants to test to see if it can get what it wants. Over his lifeless body, the FCT minister declared that he would never forgive Siminalayi Fubara. I’m not sure what he did, but the governor will never forgive him. If PANDEF thinks it can succeed and is venturing into areas Angels are afraid to go, then great; if not, I won’t be shocked.The issue is with Rivers State.

Niger Delta youths have threatened to blow up oil infrastructure in the area if the state’s local government area allocations are halted. Do you think the area will revert to its violent past?

I usually anticipate that. A group of people responding to their circumstances was more important than a single individual prior to the era of violent agitation. People will always push back with what they have when you push them to the limit, so that kind of response is to be expected. Therefore, we must take action if a group has publicly said that this is what they would do. Since we would be the ones suffering from the terrible atmosphere that such action will generate, I have always stated that I am really concerned about the environment whenever armed agitation enters the picture.

The loss of revenue will be borne by the Federal Government. When pipelines are destroyed, whether by criminals or out of rage and frustration, I’m always worried about the ecosystem. The money that the rest of Nigeria would lose doesn’t concern me. This threat should not be taken lightly by the federal government because it is bad for any court decision to accept the argument that the distribution of local governments in Rivers State should not be made public because some individuals believe they can obtain such a heinous ruling against the people of Rivers State.

Both the environment and the federal government will suffer if the ruling is in their favour and the individuals follow through on their threats. Nigeria would lose a lot of money, which will hurt the country as a whole.

Please share your thoughts on Nigeria’s current situation, including its economic suffering, instability, and future prospects.

Let’s be clear that the problems Nigeria has faced since gaining its independence are not the fault of the current administration, which is led by President Tinubu. However, I am not the president, as they say. The president is him. He is the one at fault. Whatever he undertakes to repair what was damaged prior to his arrival is to his credit; if it is worse, he must accept responsibility.

People like this President at the time, Femi Falana, Wole Soyinka, Tunde Bakare, and Muhammadu Buhari were at the forefront of “occupy Nigeria,” which threatened to topple Jonathan’s government if he didn’t restore the fuel price to its previous level. In 2011/2012, former President Goodluck removed subsidies, and the price of petrol increased from about N72 to about N90. That pressure got to Jonathan.

Nigerians now spend more than N1000 on fuel. Due to the exorbitant expense of transportation, we are purchasing petrol in the creeks for around N2000 per litre. You can tell there is a problem when you compare the dollar’s value now with that of last year, when President Tinubu took office.

He arrived and claimed to be able to resolve the issue, but he hasn’t been successful. In addition to having a poor supply, there is currently no electricity. The North’s electrical supply are being targeted by terrorists. No illumination. I live in GRA, and while you sit here with me right now, there is no electricity.

We are in band A, they said. I am aware of how much I spend each day on petrol. The situation has gotten worse. Everything has gotten worse, whether it’s medical, educational, or something else. Since the price will increase, I’m considering purchasing a bag of rice to save for Christmas.

Our fish are contaminated, you can’t buy chicken, and you can’t afford beef again. Even for them, things have gotten worse. Since the President assumed office, things have gotten a lot worse. He will undoubtedly regret asking for this job when he wakes up in the middle of the night. He claimed that it was his turn, but the question is, can Nigerians who are still living claim that, as of right now, this is the worst government in terms of corruption, insecurity, and poor governance since the country’s merger and independence?

Government officials need to quit pretending that the president is doing well. I hope the president can have town hall meetings in each of the 36 states from the villa, where citizens can call in through their representatives or local governments to discuss topics that concern them. The President’s advisors are not being honest with him.

When was the last time a sitting president came to my town? The people they are governing don’t communicate with the people in charge.

. The mom who sends her kids to school and picks periwinkles doesn’t communicate with them. However, due to pollution, she is unable to sell or even consume periwinkles now. However, there are people purchasing the properties that the oil giants are abandoning in our local communities. Both foreigners and Nigerians purchase these items.

The President recently declared that about thirty-one oil wells are for sale. Who are the buyers of these oil wells and where are they located? I would like to question the governments of the Niger Delta’s oil-producing states why they should permit these corporations to sell off their assets to non-Niger Delta citizens and leave behind this type of destruction. Who will be held accountable for the destruction they cause? This President needs to hear some of these things.

I will be the happiest person alive if we don’t dig for oil and gas in the Niger Delta today. Everyone should visit his neighbourhood to discover what they may learn to better themselves.