Jonathan Lays Blame on “Personal Interests” for Niger Delta’s Woes
Former President Goodluck Jonathan has offered a piercing critique of the long-running underdevelopment in the Niger Delta, attributing much of the region’s suffering to “personal interests.” Speaking in a recent address, Jonathan lamented that the Niger Delta, despite being Nigeria’s oil rich heartland, has not benefited proportionally from its natural resources. He argued that political elites and vested stakeholders have historically prioritized personal gain over the common good, leaving the region chronically deprived. “I have seen how people hide behind the flag of development, while enriching themselves,” Jonathan said, according to the report. He called for a renewed commitment to fairness and accountability, insisting that the Delta’s potential must be unlocked through genuine public service rather than short-term personal enrichment. His comments come at a moment of heightened political tension. Critics have long accused past administrations, including Jonathan’s, of failing to sufficiently channel oil revenues into lasting infrastructure, environmental remediation, and social program mes in the Niger Delta. Jonathan’s intervention now could fuel renewed debate over resource control and equity in Nigeria’s most contested region. By exposing self-interest so directly, Jonathan places moral and political pressure on both federal and regional leaders. Whether his remarks will translate into concrete policy shifts remains to be seen, but for many in the Niger Delta, the timing couldn’t be more urgent.
| 2025-11-22 11:25:28