The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) and the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) have recently engaged in a dispute over the inclusion of the Niger Delta region in IPOB’s secessionist agenda.
PANDEF, through its National Youth Leader, Donben Donyegha, issued a statement from Port Harcourt firmly rejecting any association with Biafra and reaffirming its commitment to a united Nigeria founded on equity and justice.
Donyegha described the inclusion of Niger Delta communities in IPOB’s plans as “provocative and insulting” to the region’s leaders and people. He warned that any further attempts to incorporate Niger Delta territories into the so-called Biafra Republic would face strong resistance from the region’s youth, emphasizing, “Niger Delta is not Biafra.”
In response, IPOB’s spokesperson, Emma Powerful, dismissed PANDEF’s concerns as “garbage” and clarified that IPOB does not compel any community to join the Biafran cause.
He attributed such allegations to misinformation spread by a splinter group operating under the guise of IPOB. Powerful reiterated that IPOB’s objective is to achieve independence through peaceful means, including a referendum where individuals can freely decide their allegiance.
He urged media outlets and groups to refrain from associating IPOB with fringe elements, stating that during a referendum, every tribe and clan would have the freedom to determine their fate.
This exchange highlights the ongoing tensions between regional groups in Nigeria concerning the Biafran secessionist movement and underscores the complexities involved in the nation’s quest for unity and equitable representation.
Leave a Reply