The Amanyanabo of Okochiri, Okrika Local Government Area of Rivers State, HRM Michael Ateke Tom, has stated that the agitation of militants in the region led to the emergence of Goodluck Jonathan as president.
He stated this on Thursday while receiving a delegation of members of the ECOWAS Parliament on a courtesy visit to his palace in Okochiri.
The monarch explained that his decision to take up arms in the Niger Delta struggle was to draw attention to the plight and marginalisation of the oil-rich region.
The delegation, led by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Hadja Memounatou Ibrahima was in Port Harcourt for the 2nd Extraordinary Parliamentary Session on “Harnessing Artificial Intelligence for Parliamentary Efficiency, Ethical Governance, and Development in the ECOWAS Region.”
Reflecting on his past involvement in the Niger Delta militancy, Ateke said, “My intention was to draw the attention of the Federal Government and the world to the plight of the Niger Delta, a region that produces oil and gas yet suffers the most.
“The agitation brought the Federal Government’s focus to our challenges. It was that same movement that created the opportunity where our people were remembered, like Goodluck Jonathan, could emerge as President of Nigeria.
“I wanted the Federal Government to truly see what was happening here, the pollution, the poverty, the suffering of our people amidst the wealth generated from oil exploration.
“Eventually, the government responded, and I was among those who helped to broker peace. I appealed to the agitators to lay down their arms and give peace a chance, and many did. Today, we are seeing the results of that peace.”
He urged the ECOWAS Parliament to use its platform to advocate for sustained development in the Niger Delta.
“We appreciate what the government has done so far, but there’s still a long way to go to lift our people out of poverty. I urge you to include this in your legislative considerations,” Ateke said.
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