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”.
TheCable
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