Group Tells Adebanjo, Count Niger Delta out of your Oduduwa Republic

Foundation For Human Rights and Anti-Corruption Crusade, (FHRACC), has warned a Yoruba leader, Ayo Adebanjo, to count out Niger Delta communities out of the proposed Oduduwa republic.

Alaowei Cleric, its National President, in a statement yesterday stated that the group had seen a map showing the Yoruba territories proposed to form Oduduwa Republic.

Noting that it did not oppose anybody seeking to break away from Nigeria as such was their inalienable rights, he said: “we wish to question the rationale behind annexing other people’s territories to form your republic?”

The statement further reads: “The map therein captured the various kingdoms in Delta State, Warri precisely and part of Bayelsa State. We believed that this is a misapplication of fact as Niger Delta region was never and can never be part of the purported Oduduwa Republic.

“We will not allow anybody seeking to secede from Nigeria to use the Niger Delta as the battle ground to prosecute his intention. We have clear and undisputed boundaries with our neighbours in the country and we are able and up to the task to assert our rights when the need arises.

“Niger Deltans will resist with all vigour, any move to use the region as the launch pad by the Yorubas or any other region to secure their aims. Our people have made our points known to the Nigerian government through the declarations of the various ethnic nationalities in the region.

“Niger Deltans pledge their allegiance to the Ogoni Bill of Right, the Kaiama Declaration, the Ikwerres, Isokos, Uhrobos, Itsekiris and all other Declarations by the various ethnic groups in the region. We say no to the Yorubas’ forceful annihilation and annexation of the Niger Delta region.

“The struggle for statehood by the aborigines of the Niger Delta predated Nigeria as a country. We have never solicited for the support of people from other region. When the pioneer Niger Delta martyr, Maj. Jasper Isaac Adaka Boro declared the historic Niger Delta Republic in 1966, he did not annexed the Yoruba region or any other part of Nigeria.

“The plotters of the Oduduwa Republic movement should for the interest of peace and harmony remove Niger Delta areas from their map. We can only commit collaboratory efforts to tackle the Nigerian state over the twin issues of restructuring and true federalism since we are all common victims of colonial blunder.”