Niger Delta not part of Biafra Republic- PANDEF warns agitators, separatists
The Pan Niger Delta Forum, PANDEF, has warned the proponents of the Biafra Republic to stop including communities from the Niger Delta and the South-South geopolitical zone in their secessionist agenda.
A statement signed by Donben Donyegha, PANDEF’s National Youth Leader, explained that the Niger Delta is not part of the Biafra Republic, assuring that it will resist any further attempts to associate the region with such plans.
According to the statement, ”the apex socio-political body of the Niger Delta are not party to the agitation, the continued inclusion of PANDEF areas or communities in the so-called Biafra Republic is provocative and tantamount to an insult to the leaders of the Niger Delta region”.
He warned that the Niger Delta youths would not take it kindly with any effort to disregard or belittle their leaders and elders through provocative publications or pronouncements by Biafra agitators.
Donyegha further explained, “Niger Delta is not Biafra. Any further attempt to include any towns or territories from the Niger Delta in this agitation will meet strong resistance from our youths. They are hereby warned to desist from such actions immediately.”
He affirmed PANDEF’s belief in the unity of Nigeria while advocating for a nation where states control their natural resources and contribute to the federal government for national security, foreign policy, and territorial integrity.
He added that PANDEF believes in a true Nigeria where no citizen is treated as second-class, saying that they stand for a united Nigeria, with equal opportunities for all and the autonomy of sub-national units to grow at their own pace.
PANDEF also stressed the need for a return to the principles enshrined in the 1964 Constitution that allowed for resource control and federalism, contrasting it with the centralization seen in the 1999 Constitution.
The group appealed to Nigerians and the international community to note PANDEF’s firm position, stressing that Niger Delta is not, and can never be, part of the plan to break away from Nigeria under the aegis of Biafra Republic.
It stated that the warning should serve as a caution to agitators, both at home and abroad, to act with maturity and respect our autonomy.
The statement further explained that the warning underscores PANDEF’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding the interests of the Niger Delta while promoting sustainable development and unity in Nigeria.
Niger Delta not part of Biafra Republic- PANDEF warns agitators, separatists
