By Emma Amaize, Egufe Yafugborhi & Perez Brisibe

WARRI—FOUNDATION for Human Rights and Anti-Corruption Crusade, FHRACC, Centre for Peace and Environmental Justice, CEPEJ and Ijaw leader in Delta State, Chief Godspower Gbenekama, yesterday, called on the Adaka Boro Avengers, ABA, to abort their intention  to declare a Republic of Niger Delta on August 1.

The groups, in separate statements in Warri, said that the move did not enjoy the support of right-thinking indigenes of the region. FHRACC’s national president, Alaowei Cleric, said: “The growing threat by some militants groups, particularly Adaka Boro Avengers, to declare Niger Delta Republic on the August 1, 2016 does not conform with the tenets of the Niger Delta struggle.

“The foundation of the struggle is well captured in the various declarations by the ethnic nationalities in the region such as the Kaiama Declaration, the Ogoni Bill of Rights, etc. Although all the declarations anchored their demands on self-determination within the Nigerian federation, none of them proposed to declare Niger Delta as an independent state from Nigeria.

“Niger Deltans are requesting for economic and political autonomy within the Nigerian state. If the militants are fighting for the genuine cause of the region,  then they should not make matters worse for the people. If an independent Niger Delta Republic should be an option,  then they must use civilized means to pursue their agenda.”

Also, Ijaw leader in Delta State, Chief Gbenekama, appealed to Adaka Boro Avengers and other militant groups in the Niger Delta not to go ahead with their threat to proclaim a Republic of Niger Delta on August 1.

Gbenekama, who made the appeal in a statement in Warri, said government was not helping matters with its attitude to the underdevelopment of the region, as it would compound the current bad situation.

“Despite the nonchalant approach, I still plead with the members of ABA and any other group thinking of secession to sheathe their swords. They should allow well-meaning Niger Delta citizens, traditional rulers, other peace-loving Nigerians and the international community to prevail on the Federal Government to do the needful to bring down the tension in the Niger Delta,” he advised.

Meanwhile, CEPEJ Coordinator, Sheriff Mulade, also urged Adaka Boro Avengers to “give peace a chance and take advantage of the Federal Government’s dialogue because no meaningful development can take place in a rancorous environment.

He said: “Adaka Boro Avengers should abort their alleged plan to declare Niger Delta Republic on August 1 because Niger Deltans do not support it. We know that successive governments neglected, deprived and underdeveloped the region despite of her huge contributions to the national economy.

“What we need now is constructive engagement with the Federal Government since President Buhari has considered dialogue as the best option to engage the stakeholders and find a lasting solution to the lingering quest for development.”