The Gbaramatau Traditional Council in Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State has accused the Federal Government of alleged plans to push the people of the Niger Delta to secede from the Nigerian federation.
The GTC alleged that the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration was not sincere about dialoguing with the Niger Delta militants for peace in the oil-rich region.
The Acting Secretary of GTC, Chief Godspower Gbenekama , said in an exclusive interview with The Point that the Federal Government was deliberately forcing the people of the troubled region to demand secession from Nigeria by foot-dragging on dialogue for peace in the area.
Gbenekama expressed regret that while the Niger Delta people had prepared themselves for the discussions with the Federal Government, but the Buhari-led administration had been footdragging and playing politics with the Niger Delta issue.
He said, “The Pan-Niger Delta Forum is ready to discuss on behalf of the Niger Delta with the Federal Government. What we are waiting for is for the Federal Government to appoint its own team to discuss the issues that are affecting the Niger Delta, which brought about the present agitations that are causing a lot of havoc in the region.
The irony of the whole matter is that while the Niger Delta people are ready to discuss with the government, the Federal Government is foot dragging and playing politics with the Niger Delta Issues.
We want to stay in the Federation called Nigeria because we are part of it
The government is crying that there are no credible leaders from the region to discuss with. The issue of credibility should be left with the people of the Niger Delta. If they start the discussions and the people do not carry the region along, it should be known to the Federal Government. The Federal government is foot dragging on the issue and it is not in the best interest of the Niger Delta people.”
He, however, stressed that the Niger Delta people were not interested in seceding from the country, but would rather remain part of the Nigerian federation, adding that whatthe people want is a restructured Nigeria reflecting true federalism.
He added, “They are foot dragging because they are insincere with the demands of the people. They feel that immediately they start the discussions, the Niger Delta people will demand for their rights and they will not have any explanations to give to them.
“They want to push the Niger Delta people to talk about secession. We want to stay in the federation called Nigeria because we are part of it. Let’s discuss the reasons for our being together, how we can live together and benefit from each other.
If IPOB wants to secede, good and fine, but Niger Delta is not going to discuss secession. No. We want to discuss true federalism.”
