“Who Owns Nigeria’s Oil Wealth, And Who Are The Leaders Serving?” — Jonathan, Diri Push True Fiscal Federalism As Ekiye’s Book Reignites Debate Over Niger Delta Injustice, Environmental Destruction And Nigeria’s Unity
By Passman Akpos
YENAGOA, BAYELSA STATE — Former President Goodluck Jonathan and Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri have called for true fiscal federalism, equitable resource distribution and purposeful leadership as critical conditions for achieving sustainable national unity and development in Nigeria.
The two leaders made the call on Thursday, October 15, 2026, during the public presentation of a book titled Redefining Nigeria: Essays on State, Nation, Leadership and Democracy, authored by Elder Braeyi Ekiye, at the Chief DSP Alamieyeseigha Memorial Banquet Hall, Government House, Yenagoa.
The event brought together prominent political leaders, academics and stakeholders to discuss Nigeria’s political structure, democratic development, leadership challenges and the persistent debate over resource control and the distribution of national wealth.
Diri: Niger Delta Deserves Justice And A Stronger Voice
Governor Diri, who was represented by his Deputy, Dr Peter Akpe, described Ekiye’s book as a timely contribution to Nigeria’s ongoing search for a just, equitable and progressive nation.
He said the issues raised in the book concerning the state, nation, leadership and democracy were fundamental questions that every patriotic Nigerian must confront in the country’s quest for unity and development.
According to him, the book challenges Nigerians to reflect on what binds them together, how power and resources should be distributed among the federating units, and the responsibilities of both citizens and political leaders.
Diri noted that the questions were particularly significant to the Niger Delta, which has contributed substantially to Nigeria’s economic development while bearing severe environmental consequences from oil exploration and exploitation.
He maintained that the region’s environmental degradation, including the destruction of farmlands, creeks and fishing waters, must remain central to discussions about Nigeria’s future.
“For us in the Niger Delta, these are not idle questions. Our region has carried much of the nation’s economic weight while bearing its heaviest environmental cost. Our creeks, farmlands and fishing waters tell that story more eloquently than any statistic,” he said.
The governor reiterated his administration’s position that environmental restoration and the dignity of oil-producing communities must be central to any meaningful discussion about the country’s future.
He also cited the findings of the Bayelsa State Oil and Environmental Commission as an important reference point in the struggle for environmental justice in the Niger Delta.
Diri stressed that the people of the region deserved a meaningful voice in shaping Nigeria’s federal structure, adding that intellectual contributions such as Ekiye’s book could help advance the conversation.
He further stated that his administration would continue to encourage engagements that promote democracy, good governance and national development.
Jonathan: Nigeria Must Redefine Its National Identity
Former President Goodluck Jonathan described the book as a bold and timely contribution to Nigeria’s national discourse, noting that it reflected the author’s years of public service and commitment to national development.
Jonathan, who was represented by former Adamawa State Governor Boni Haruna, praised Ekiye for serving Bayelsa State and Nigeria with integrity, humility, wisdom and diligence.
He described the publication as a product of experience rather than mere theoretical reflection, noting that its central themes addressed some of the most pressing challenges confronting the country.
According to the former president, Nigeria has continued to grapple with fundamental questions about its identity, national aspirations and the conditions necessary for peaceful coexistence since independence.
He argued that the country’s current political structure had yet to fully produce the nation Nigerians desired.
“The state we have is not yet the nation we desire, and the nation we desire cannot emerge without a purposeful leadership, and a purposeful leadership cannot thrive without deepening our democracy,” Jonathan said.
He added that Nigeria’s future depended significantly on the quality of conversations its citizens and leaders were willing to have about the country.
Jonathan also commended Ekiye for sustaining his intellectual contributions to national development, describing the book as a valuable addition to the debate about Nigeria’s political and democratic future.
Darah Faults Nigerian Political Elite Over Development Failures
In his review of the book, Professor Godini Darah described Ekiye’s work as encyclopedic and thought-provoking, emphasising the importance of documenting personal experiences and knowledge for the benefit of future generations.
The reviewer highlighted the book’s examination of petroleum resources in the Niger Delta, Nigeria’s democratic experience and the management of the country’s political system in the interest of the people.
He also criticised the country’s political elite, arguing that Nigeria’s development challenges were partly attributable to the absence of sufficiently patriotic and nationalistic leadership.
Drawing comparisons between political elites in Nigeria and their counterparts in Southeast Asian countries, Darah said leaders in some Asian nations had prioritised industrialisation, domestic production and the international competitiveness of their businesses.
He contrasted that approach with what he described as the tendency of Nigerian political elites to seek relationships with foreign oil companies rather than build globally competitive Nigerian enterprises.
“The Asian elites are developing their countries to meet up the standard of America, Canada, Britain, Belgium, Germany, Italy and so on,” he said.
Darah argued that Nigeria needed leaders who would prioritise the development of indigenous industries, strengthen local businesses and pursue policies capable of improving the country’s position in the global economy.
His remarks reinforced one of the central questions raised at the event: whether Nigeria’s political leadership has sufficiently prioritised national economic transformation over personal and political interests.
Igali Highlights Niger Delta’s Economic Contributions And Deprivations
In his welcome address, the Chairman of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), Ambassador Godknows Igali, commended Ekiye for documenting his reflections on Nigeria’s political and developmental challenges in a book that could benefit future generations.
Igali, who also chaired the occasion as Chairman of the Bayelsa Elders Forum, highlighted the deprivations suffered by the Niger Delta despite the region’s substantial contributions to the nation’s revenue over the years.
He expressed optimism that Nigeria could build a united and prosperous society if the principles of equity, fairness and justice were reflected in the country’s political and economic arrangements.
The PANDEF chairman also congratulated the author, stressing that books and intellectual contributions remained important instruments for individual development, the preservation of knowledge and nation-building.
His remarks echoed longstanding concerns among Niger Delta stakeholders over resource allocation, environmental degradation and the need for greater recognition of the region’s contributions to Nigeria’s economic survival.
Author Calls For A United, Secure And Prosperous Nigeria
Speaking at the event, Ekiye described Redefining Nigeria: Essays on State, Nation, Leadership and Democracy as part of his continuing effort to contribute to the emergence of a progressive Nigerian state.
He said the book was intended to encourage reflection and constructive engagement on how Nigeria could become a more united, secure and prosperous country capable of commanding respect in the international community.
The publication examines questions surrounding the Nigerian state, democratic governance, leadership responsibility and the management of the country’s economic and political affairs.
The book’s central themes also reflect persistent national debates about whether Nigeria’s current federal arrangement adequately addresses the concerns of its diverse ethnic groups, regions and constituent states.
Prominent Nigerians Attend Book Launch
Several prominent personalities attended the public presentation, including the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Dr Fred Agbedi, who was represented by Chief Kelvin Tawari.
The Pere of Kabowei Kingdom, His Majesty Peremobowei Erebulu, and Governor Diri’s Special Adviser on Political Matters, High Chief Collins Cocodia, were also among the dignitaries present.
The gathering provided an opportunity for political leaders, academics and other stakeholders to reflect on the relationship between leadership, democracy, economic justice and national unity.
Fiscal Federalism Remains A Major National Question
The calls by Jonathan and Diri have again brought the debate over fiscal federalism to the forefront of discussions about Nigeria’s political and economic future.
Advocates of greater fiscal autonomy for states argue that a more balanced distribution of responsibilities and resources among the federating units could improve accountability, encourage development and reduce dependence on the Federal Government.
For oil-producing communities in the Niger Delta, the debate is closely connected to resource control, environmental remediation, derivation revenue and the need to ensure that communities bearing the environmental costs of petroleum production benefit meaningfully from the resources extracted from their territories.
However, achieving a workable federal arrangement would require political consensus on revenue allocation, the responsibilities of each tier of government, accountability mechanisms and the protection of the interests of less economically advantaged states.
The discussions at Ekiye’s book launch underscored the argument that Nigeria’s unity cannot be sustained by political structures alone without fairness, responsible leadership and a credible commitment to the welfare of citizens.
As the country continues to confront economic pressures, security concerns and demands for greater political inclusion, the question remains whether its leaders will translate calls for true federalism and national unity into concrete reforms.
For the Niger Delta, the expectation is clear: a genuinely united Nigeria must also be a country where resource-producing communities receive justice, environmental damage is addressed, and every region has a fair opportunity to participate in national development.
