The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) are at odds over claims that the Niger Delta region is part of the ongoing Biafra secessionist movement.
In a statement on Thursday, PANDEF’s national youth leader, Donben Donyegha, firmly rejected any association between the Niger Delta and IPOB’s agenda. He warned against including the region in the Biafra agitation, emphasizing that PANDEF supports a united Nigeria based on equity and justice.
“We, therefore, warn that the continued inclusion of PANDEF areas or communities into the so-called Biafra Republic is provocative,” Donyegha said. “Any further attempt to disregard or belittle our leaders and fathers by claiming Niger Delta towns or territories as part of Biafra will meet strong resistance from us, the youths. Niger Delta is not Biafra.”
Responding to the statement, IPOB’s spokesperson, Emma Powerful, denied allegations of forcing any community or region into the Biafra movement. He attributed the claims to misinformation spread by a splinter group impersonating IPOB.
“When the referendum comes, people will decide what they want; nobody will force them into the new nation called Biafra,” Powerful said. “IPOB remains what it was from the beginning and will not shift ground until Biafra independence is fully announced by the United Nations. Every tribe and clan will have the freedom to decide their fate during the referendum.”
