The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has asked Igbo leaders to
denounce the statement made by the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra
(IPOB) about Edwin Clark, an Ijaw leader.
PANDEF demanded that Igbo leaders tender a public apology to
Clark in the interest of “healthy relations” between the south-east and
south-south.
Clark had said IPOB must be dreaming if it believes the
south-south region will join the agitation for the Republic of Biafra.
In response, IPOB had said the Ijaw leader cannot decide on
whether the Niger Delta will be part of Biafra while adding that his comment is
one of the reasons ”Biafrans” are being treated as slaves.
Commenting on the development, PANDEF, in a statement issued
by Emmanuel Ibok Essien, its national chairman, insisted that the Niger Delta
is not part of Biafra, adding that it is “puerile” for IPOB or any group to
consider the region in any “arbitrary contraption”.
PANDEF noted that the influence of Clark transcends the
south-south zones, adding that the Ijaw leader has been playing nationalist
roles to “stimulate unity, peace and development in the Niger Delta Region, and
Nigeria, at large”.
“It is a shame that they cannot differentiate between fact
and fantasy. This stupidity would erode any sympathy they had hitherto received
from the South-South geo-political zone,” the statement reads.
“Let us restate, without any equivocation, that the Niger
Delta Region is not part of Biafra and that no inch of the South-South
Geopolitical Zone shall be part of any imagined “Republic”.
“It’s rather puerile for IPOB or any other group to consider
that Niger Delta Region would be part of any arbitrary contraption. If it
becomes necessary for the Niger Delta people to pull out of this country, we
shall do so, on our terms.
“Over the years, the highly respected Chief who was a
Federal Minister of Information, and Distinguished Senator of the Federal
Republic, has in his capacities as an educationist, politician, public servant,
lawyer, lawmaker, community leader and nationalist, continued to play vital
roles to stimulate unity, peace and development in the Niger Delta Region, and
Nigeria, at large.
“Though PANDEF assumes no well-meaning Igbo son or daughter
would sanction the aspersion by IPOB on our respected National Leader, however,
we would insist that the Leadership of the Igbo Nation denounce the
irresponsible statement by IPOB.
“And tender a public
apology to the Elder Statesman, and, indeed, the entire Niger Delta people, in
the interest of healthy relations between the South-East and South-South Zones.
Anything short of that would be inferred to be tacit approval of the balderdash
of IPOB.”
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