BIAFRA: We must listen to Ndigbo, compliance to sit-at-home disturbing –Niger Delta elders

A coalition of traditional rulers and leaders of ethnic nationalities of the South-South region, the Pan Niger-Delta Forum (PANDEF), has called on the Federal Government to give a listening ear to the agitators of Biafra.

It said the success recorded by the secessionist groups’ sit-at-home order on May 30 calls for concerns and shows that all is not well in Nigeria.

This was contained in a statement PANDEF released through its co-chairman, Obong Victor Attah, explaining that the present agitation for Biafra was born out of a deep-seated and agonising feeling of marginalisation and discrimination, “so as has been advised; let us listen to the Ibos and the Biafra agitators.”

Attah went further to say, “We listen to them with clear understanding that Nigeria is better off united and that disintegration is not in anyone’s interest.

“The success recorded by the Biafra sit-at-home call as reported by various news media is a clear indication that all is not well in our country. We in PANDEF find this quite disturbing and, therefore, consider it necessary to issue this statement.

“We have always had centrifugal and centripetal forces working at variance within the country. The compromise between these forces gave birth to our federal system, which at independence provided for us to be our brothers’ keepers, while at the same time providing enough for each region to develop at its own pace”.

Read also: Minister Lai needs a new brain, he sounds like a drunken monkey –Fani-Kayode

Joining several other Nigerians on the call for restructuring as a solution to Nigeria’s problem, Attah said PANDEF was sure that the solution to the challenges agitating the nation today were contained in the over 600 recommendations of the 2014 National Conference.

He said, “Restructuring does not, by any stretch of imagination, suggest a breakup of the country. We also acknowledge that restructuring cannot happen overnight or in one fell swoop, but must be diligently embarked upon for our harmonious co-existence.

“The conference report did not suggest abolition of states, but carefully spelt out steps to be taken to restructure our federal system without pain. The wisdom of implementing the recommendations of that conference cannot be overemphasized.”

 

 

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