The Ijaw people of the Niger Delta region have said that they will not break away from Nigeria in collaboration with any ethnic group in the country, stressing that they have the capacity to be on their own should the country disintegrate.
The Ibe Benemowei of Gbaramatu Kingdom, Chief Godspower Gbenekama, said this in a chat with our correspondent in Warri while reacting to an interview granted by an Afenifere chieftain, Chief Ayo Adebanjo.
Gbenekama said that a careful study of the said Oduduwa republic map spoken about by Adebanjo showed that much of Izon land from Ondo State to the boundary with Bayelsa State had been included in the proposed Yoruba republic map.
He described the inclusion of the Ijaw in the said Oduduwa Republic as an insult to the Izon nation, which had its own distinct identity without any affinity with the Yoruba people, adding that this was capable of causing disharmony among neighbouring ethnic nationalities in the country.
The Ijaw leader, however, warned other ethnic nationalities in the Niger Delta region interested in using their affiliation with the Yoruba, not to use Izon people and their land for such an unholy marriage.
He stressed that the Ijaw are distinct people that would not want to be “corrupted” by any other ethnic group.
Gbenekama said, “I wantto state categorically clear that we are not breaking away from Nigeria with any other group or nationality.
If Nigeria is to break up, the Izon people, being the fourth largest nationality, are strong and large enough in population, land mass and wealth found in the land, to go their own way rather than following any other nationality that we can hardly trust.
“I like to state clearly here that we are not and cannot be part of any Oduduwa Republic. As Izon people, we are distinct and uniquely different from the Yoruba people.
In a bid to break away from Nigeria, no tribe or group, no matter how well connected and powerful it is, should think they can annex us to make themselves economically viable, if there should there be a breakup in Nigeria.
