According to Bello Bina, though the Niger Delta region and the Ijaw Nation has lost confidence in the ability of the President Muhammadu Buhari led administration to implement the 16 points presented, the comments of the likes of Alhaji Asari Dokubo, Chief Edwin Clarke and others have shown that the Ijaw nation lack direction and quality leadership.
While Bello Bina described Asari Dokubo as “standing alone” on his false claim that Niger Delta people are supporting the Nnamdi Kanu led Independent People of Biafra (IPOB) on the secession agitation against the Federal Government.
He disowned Chief Edwin Clarke over his Ijaw National Leader status for his alleged “double speak” and ” poor leadership” posture on the issues presented before the Federal Government by the Pan African Leadership forum (PANDEF) and open support to the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari who has failed to impact positively on the region.
Hon. Bello Bina, who is also a Bayelsa PDP Chieftain and Chief Executive Officer of the B-Multi group, in a statement issued in Yenagoa via email, accused Chief E.K Clark, Asari Dokubo and some traditional rulers of trading with the problems confronting the Ijaw nation and Niger Delta by ascribing to themselves leadership positions that are not endorsed by the people of the region.
According to him, ” Am speaking with pain over the Niger Delta issue and how people used the pain of the region to trade. I see Asari Dokubo on facebook jumping up and down with false claim that the Ijaw nation belong to Biafra. I want to make it clear, Niger Delta is not with Biafra. If Asari Dokubo and his family are with Biafra, they are on their own. The Biafra people are of the Ibo states.”
“If Asari Dokubo love the Ijaw nation, Niger Delta and Nigeria, why did he put all his investment and his so called University in Benin Republic? He also claim to be Biafra and he deployed all his investments abroad. I want to repeat that nobody should fear because we are not part of the Biafra story. I am not against Biafra people or their agitations, but I insist that Niger Delta is not part of Biafra.”
Bello Bina noted that despite the failed efforts by a few to associate Biafra with the Niger Delta people on facebook, the Ijaw people are faced with their own peculiar problems and not bothered about issue of Biafra.
He also pointed out that the attempts to draw the region into the Biafra agitations was based on the outcome of the struggle by the likes of the Foremost Former Militant Leader, High Chief Government Ekpemupolo also known as Tompolo, ” now many people tag them to be criminals but these are the Niger Delta agitators that made the region become the beautiful bride for the IPOB agitation. The Niger Delta people can not join any agitation because we are rich enough to create a country if we desire.”
On the alleged treachery by Chief E.K.Clarke against the Niger Delta people, Hon. Bello Bina insisted that though he respect elders in the region, the claim by Chief Clark that he is the National leader of Ijaw nation is questionable and is self imposed, ” Some people will be claiming to be leaders of the region. Before you claim to be a leader, what are the benefits the people of the region have enjoyed from you?”
“During Former President Obasanjo, Chief E.K Clarke existed and it is the same stock in trade. The Likes of Late Isaac Jasper Adaka Boro and Chief D.S. P Alameiseigha are true leaders of Ijaw people. Theu were oppressed and died for the people of the region. The 13 per cent derivation increase was part of Alameiseigha legacy of resource control. But E.K Clarke followed Dr. Goodluck Jonathan and after GEJ tenure,diswoned him. He claimed to have left politics but he is back offering to settle Niger Delta issue.”
” Is he a Leader of Niger Delta people? Who made him a Leader? Let him show what he has brought to the region as a leader? Has he drilled a bore hole or pay WAEC for any indigent Ijaw student or community? Has he offered assistance to any political leader without monetray agains? Before you claim to be a leader, your people will push you forward as one. These are leaders that collect money to betray the region.”
“Those are not the leaders Ijaw people are looking for. The Ijaw nation is not looking for people that talk cheaply. They are looking for a focussed peaceful and committed leaders. ”
He also noted that some Traditional Rulers have abandoned their royal stool and joined the foray of political jobbers in search for cheap monies along the corridors of power in Abuja,” these are men that ha dumped their traditional stools and are now seen in Abuja. Those who relocated to Abuja because of money shall never know peace.”
“Kings are meant to sit at their domain and oversee the affairs of their people and be highly revered and respected. They are not be seen walking from one office to another.. Am so ashamed that those traditional leaders, who are supposed to bring Ijaw people together, are now telling lies to curry favour in Abuja. Tommorrow, one Senator will call them a child birthday party and theu put on their royal beed and set at the front smiling. What is wrong if the Senator or President visit you in your domain”
“And those are the traditional leaders we call our leaders. Can’t they learn from the Oni of Ife or the Oba of Benin? These are true leaders and their people can die for them. Why can’t the Niger Delta leaders be coordinated.? You call yourself a King and because of money, you betray your Ijaw people.And you say all is well after they gave you N5million. They can’t do that to the Oni of Ife or the Oba of Benin.”
“These revered Obas sit in their palace and politicians come to them and ask for solutions. Our kings have lost their respect. Our kings have no leadership qualities and they tell lies because of money. They should stop it, it is painful. They should revert to being a good leader and learb to bear hardship in a royal way. God knows why he created the Ijaw nation and the Niger Delta.”
“Our kings are deeply involve in politics. Today, Goodluck Jonathan is good.Tommorrow, Jonathan is a bad man. Now they have started, Buhari is a good man. And tommorrow, what will they say?”