Former Nigerian President Dr. Goodluck Jonathan noted that Niger Deltans will not subscribe to the Biafran Nation because of fear of subjugation.

The Nigerian leader, who delivered a lecture on Sunday, January 12, 2025, in Texas, United States (US), stated that the Niger Deltans will remain indivisible with Nigeria instead of joining forces with Biafrans in dividing the country.

Jonathan emphasised some reasons for his position, such as the leadership, capital of the proposed nation, language, and fear of annexation. The former Nigerian president stressed that Biafra may not be better for Niger Deltans, because Niger Deltans may end up leaving one form of subjugation for another, emphasising that the argument Igbos have made for their freedom is the desire to be free from Hausa-Yoruba domination. 

The former Nigerian leader said, “That argument also applies to the average Niger Deltan. Igbo, no doubt, will be the major ethnic group if Biafra is actualised. Ijaws may have a stake due to their numbers.What about the Ogonis? Urhobo-Isokos, Itsekiris, Efiks, etc? 

“Where will they fit in at the national level? The sad reality is that another Nigeria will just be made manifest, and resentments will build up.“ Will they fare better in Biafra or alone? In Nigeria, big groups such as the Hausa, Yoruba, and Igbo checkmate each other’s excesses very well. 

Who will checkmate that of the Igbos in the new nation? Where will the capital be located? If we are to follow the notion of central location, the capital of Biafra won’t be Enugu but around the Umuahia-Ikot Ekpene axis. Will Igbos allow their capital to be sited in a non-Igbo location? “So how and why were they included in the proposed map? Little things like this bring doubt, and I know that many of these non-Igbo regions have disowned the map and promised loyalty to Nigeria. The declaration by the Delta State government is a case study,” he stated.