The Niger Delta Congress (NDC) has condemned what it terms ‘the provocative and unrecognized annexation of Niger Deltan lands’ in a recent declaration of a United States of Biafra by loyalists of embattled Simon Ekpa, the self-styled Prime Minister of the Biafra Republic Government in Exile....CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING.>>
According to the NDC, the declaration of the USB which was organised under the banner of BRGIE which held in Finland, was not only provocative but an “audacious attempt by the terrorist group led by Simon Ekpa, a dual citizen of Nigeria and Finland, to impose an illegitimate and divisive agenda on the ethnic nationalities of the Niger Delta is not only provocative but constitutes an unacceptable affront to the dignity, sovereignty, and self-determination of our people.”
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!In a statement issued by its national spokesperson Mudiaga Ogboru, and made available to Ripples Nigeria on Tuesday, the NDC said it rejects the attempt by the group to annex the Niger Delta into the USB as the region have no connection with Biafra and its ideologies.
“Let it be stated categorically: the ethnic nationalities of the Niger Delta—comprising the peoples of Edo, Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, and Cross River States—have no connection, past or present, with the ideological farce that is Biafra,” the NDC said in the statement.
“This fascist and irredentist agenda, driven by an external ethnic group with no mandate from or legitimate claim to the Niger Delta, is an egregious attempt to appropriate identities and resources that do not belong to them.
“The people of the Niger Delta have a long and proud history of championing the rights of indigenous peoples. As the first region in Nigeria to demand and articulate the principles of political autonomy and resource control, we are the vanguard of self-determination.
“Our position is clear: while we categorically reject the retrogressive structure of Nigeria as it stands, we reserve the right to determine our political future on our own terms, free from the impositions of any external group or ideology.
“Niger Delta and Biafra are polar opposites. The Niger Delta Congress rejects, in totality, the futile attempts by IPOB/BRGIE and its affiliates to subsume our distinct ethnic identities into their so-called Biafran project.
“Our people have spoken, repeatedly and unambiguously. We rejected being a part of Biafra when it was first declared in 1967, and not only do we reject it once again, but we will resist it. We are not Biafrans, we will never be Biafrans.
“The Niger Delta Congress calls upon IPOB/BRGIE and all its affiliate groups to desist from these reckless provocations and to recognize that our region will never be a theater for their chaos, tragedy, or economic sabotage.
“The NDC reaffirms its commitment to ensuring that the Niger Delta remains a zone of peace, progress, and economic sustainability for its people.
“Furthermore, let it be clear that the Niger Delta’s rejection of Biafra irredentism does not equate to an endorsement of Nigeria’s current political structure, which hinges on the “majorities” subjugating the “minorities”.
“Our fight for justice, equity, and true federalism remains steadfast. To this end, the NDC will continue to engage all stakeholders in the Niger Delta and beyond to secure our territorial integrity, political autonomy and resource control that is the birthright of our people.
“A Warning to Irredentist Agitators: The Niger Delta is neither a pawn in external agendas nor a colony to be appropriated by opportunistic groups.
“We are a proud, resilient, and self-determining people, and any attempt to contravene our sovereignty will be met with the full resolve of our collective will.
“Furthermore we would like to call on the authorities of Finland to check the excesses of this terrorist group as the Nigerian authorities have so far been unable to reign them in.
“Finally the NDC would like to call on the people of Niger Delta to neither be perturbed or distracted by the antics of these ethnic expansionists and genocidaires, while encouraging them to promptly report any suspicious activity capable of destabilizing our land.”
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