Abstract
This chapter examines how the Ogoni developed an organisational structure for advocacy, negotiations and peaceful links with international bodies, while the Ijaw developed an organisation primarily suited for armed struggle. It also analyses the development and presentation of the Ogoni Bill of Rights and compares it with the Kaiama Declaration. This chapter builds on the nature of the Ogoni and Ijaw leadership presented in Chap. 5. In this chapter I argue that the differences in terms of the organisational structure of the Ogoni and the Ijaw movements demonstrate the commitment to nonviolence versus violence. The chapter will analyse the development and presentation of the Ogoni Bill of Rights in comparison to the Kaiama Declaration, as well as the establishment of MOSOP in comparison to the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) and later MEND, to further highlight the dynamics of choice between nonviolence and violence between the two movements.
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Notes
- 1.
KAGOTE is an acronym of Khana, Gokana, Tai and Eleme which are the constituent units of Ogoni ethnic nationality.
- 2.
In 1967, during the civil war, Saro-Wiwa produced a pamphlet titled: ‘The Ogoni Nationality, Today and Tomorrow’.
- 3.
The question of the OBR’s emphasis on rights was addressed in Chap. 4.
- 4.
One of the leaders of the Ogoni struggle.
- 5.
One of the Ogoni nine, executed along with Ken Saro-Wiwa.
- 6.
Ibid.
- 7.
Edward Kobani, Albert Badey, Samuel Orage and Theophilus Orage.
- 8.
Barinem Kiobel, John Kpunien, Baribor Bera, Saturday Dobee, Felix Nwate, Nordu Eawo, Paul Levura and Daniel Gbokoo.
- 9.
Letter from Ijaw Youth Council to all Managing Directors and Chief Executives of transnational oil companies operating in Ijawland (Shell, Agip, Mobil, Chevron, Texaco and Statoil BP), dated 18 December 1998, signed by Felix Tuodolo, T.K. Ogoriba, Oronto Douglas, I. Osuoka, Abule Benard, Rowland Oweinanabo and Valentine Kuku.
- 10.
Leader of MEND currently jailed for 24 years in South Africa for the Independence Day attacks in Nigeria in 2010.
- 11.
Military head of state, 9 June 1998–29 May 1999.
- 12.
A prominent Ijaw businessman who has provided employment for many Ijaw youth.
- 13.
Militant warlord and part of the leadership of MEND.
- 14.
Ukiwo (2007) offers a contradictory viewpoint, claiming that MEND itself (unlike some of the groups in the region) did not exchange kidnapped hostages for money: rather, the hostages were used to negotiate and to portray the political objectives of MEND in the region.
- 15.
Hakuri is a Hausa language word for patience.
- 16.
Lead consultant of the amnesty programme.
- 17.
Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration.
- 18.
Then secretary to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
- 19.
Minister of Defence.
- 20.
Minister of Internal Affairs.
- 21.
Chief of staff to the president.
- 22.
Member representing the vice president.
- 23.
Minister for Works and Housing.
- 24.
Leader of the team.
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Mai-Bornu, Z.L. (2020). Organising Nonviolent and Violent Struggles—the Ogoni and Ijaw. In: Political Violence and Oil in Africa. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-45525-5_6
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