Source:
Subject: RE: NDM PRESS RELEASE: On The Niger-Delta Crisis and Presidential Threat
Date: Fri, 19 Nov 1999 19:48:07 -0500 (EST)
From: "Mobolaji E. Aluko" <maluko@scs.howard.edu>
To: "Philip A. Ikomi" <pikomi@osf1.gmu.edu>
CC: "Natufe, Igho" <inatufe@NRCan.gc.ca>,
"Warri Extended Group --

Your analogy is not correct. The Governor of Alabama had control of his POLICE and even his STATE NATIONAL GUARD and refused to use them after President Kennedy asked him to. Kennedy then sent in the FEDERAL NATIONAL GUARD as constitutionally required, really guards from other states. And he did not declare a state of emergency in Alabama: he declared it over that portion of Alabama that allowed him to take action in that school.

Governor Alieyemeseigha has no such power over any coercive forces in Bayelsa; everything is subject to Obasanjo. The letter by Obasanjo should have been written to Inspector General of Police, Musiliu Smith, giving him a warning to work with the State Commissioner of Police and the State Governor to bring the place under order. If Obasanjo was told that somehow the State Governor was obstructing their actions would it be appropriate for President Obasanjo to give a non-militaristic and non-condescending but stern warning letter to the Governor, not before?

We must not condone flagrant insult of state rights. Part of what is happening in the Niger-Delta is this big-stick approach of the Federal Government - which extended to taking your land, your oil and despoiling your environment.

Philip, you must make that connection with lack of respect, otherwise all hope is lost.

Have a good week-end.

Bolaji Aluko