Niger Delta leaders have given the President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government a three-month ultimatum to restructure Nigeria.
Leaders of the oil rich region also charged the Federal Government to convene a national dialogue within the time frame.
The ultimatum was contained in a communiqué issued at the end of a South-South zonal conference on restructuring held in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
They threatened to actualise their freedom if the government failed to meets their demands at the end of the ultimatum.
According to the communiqué, the Niger Delta leaders also called for the devolution of powers to the states.
The communiqué read: “We the people of the Niger Delta hereby give the Government of Nigeria a three months window, within which to cordially address our concerns towards re-federalising the polity, by convening a national dialogue of the representatives of the ethnic groups in Nigeria to chart a new course for the country.
“At the expiration of this three-month window, we the people of the Niger Delta will commence the process that will guarantee our freedom and progress. Our people should mobilise all human resources to see that fiscal federalism and devolution of powers are includes in the constitution.”
The meeting had in attendance a career diplomat and Nigeria’s former Ambassador to Czechoslovakia, Dr. Godknows Igali, and the National Chairman of the Pan Niger Delta Forum, Senator Emmanuel Ebok-Essien.
Edwin Clark, a popular Ijaw leader, was represented by Chief Obiuwevbi Ominimini.
A few days ago, Buhari has said he is waiting for the National Assembly on the issue of restructuring.
