Niger Delta elders: No harm in discussing the unity of Nigeria

The Pan-Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), an elite socio-political organisation of the Niger Delta, says there is no harm in discussing the unity of Nigeria.

PANDEF said this in a statement issued on Saturday and signed by Victor Attah, former Akwa Ibom state governor, its chairman.

It also called on the government to respond to the agitation of the Igbo for Biafra and restructure the country.

The call of the organisation followed agitations by some groups in the south-east for an independent state of Biafra.

“Biafra is born out of a deep-seated and agonising feeling of marginalisation and discrimination,” it said.

“So, as has been advised, let us listen to the Igbo and the Biafra agitators. We listen to them knowing that there is no harm in discussing the unity of Nigeria; we listen to them with the clear understanding that Nigeria is better off united and that disintegration is not in anyone’s interest.”

PANDEF also said the solution to the current challenges was implementing the recommendations of the 2014 national conference and restructuring the country.

“We in PANDEF are convinced that the solution to the challenges that agitate us today are contained in the over 600 recommendations of the 2014 national conference. Restructuring does not, by any stretch of the imagination, suggest a break-up of the country,” it said.

“We also acknowledge that restructuring cannot happen overnight or in one fell swoop, but must be diligently embarked upon for harmonious co-existence.”

PANDEF added that “the wisdom to implementing the recommendations of the conference cannot be overemphasised”.