The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has issued a stern warning to advocates of the Biafra Republic, advising them to exclude Niger Delta and South-South communities from their secessionist agenda.
The declaration was made in a statement released in Port Harcourt and signed by Donben Donyegha, PANDEF’s National Youth Leader.
In the statement, PANDEF emphasized its commitment to a united Nigeria rooted in justice and equality, rejecting any alignment with the Biafra movement.
The group labelled the inclusion of Niger Delta communities in the Biafra plan as “provocative” and “insulting” to the region’s leaders.
The statement added: “We the youths shall resist this in all ramifications. Any further attempt to disregard or belittle our leaders with this provocative publication or pronouncement of Biafra Republic, with the inclusion of any towns or territories of the Niger Delta, shall meet strong resistance from us.
“PANDEF believes in True Nigeria where nobody is made a 2nd class citizen. We believe in the Unity of Nigeria but a Nigeria where equal opportunities abound, where the Sub National, states control their God’s given resources and pay tax to the Centre for maintenance of homeland Security, Territorial integrity and sovereignty, foreign policy and international Diplomacy.
“We strongly believe that it is on these principles that Nigeria can achieve her predetermined objectives of holistic and sustainable peace and development as every subunit can then grow at their own pace.
“Though the Nigeria our Heroes past fought for was enshrined as encapsulated in the Nigeria Constitution of 1964 which operated until the 1966 military coup and the counter-coup.
“Despite the fact that the 1999 constitution has major departure from the 1964 constitution, PANDEF shall continue to engage government at the federal and State levels to ensure that the vision of our Founding Fathers is realized, more so as we have Amb Godknows Igali, an astute Intellectual of International repute as our National Chairman.
“On this basis, we want Nigerians and the International communities to carefully and sensibly take note that the Niger Delta is not and can never be part of the plan of some individuals to break away from Nigeria under the aegis of Biafra Republic.
“We believe that this caution and warning shall give these agitators, be they in Nigeia soil or in foreign Nation(s) the sense of maturity to refrain and abstain from this provocative action and behaviour.”
