Tag: PANDEF

  • Suspension of Fubara, others: Tinubu has stabbed Niger Delta in the back – PANDEF

    Suspension of Fubara, others: Tinubu has stabbed Niger Delta in the back – PANDEF

    The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has strongly condemned President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s declaration of a State of Emergency in Rivers State, calling it a betrayal of the Niger Delta region.

    The group expressed its outrage in a communiqué issued after an emergency meeting of its Board of Trustees and expanded National Executive Committee in Abuja on Wednesday, March 19, 2025.

    The emergency meeting was convened in response to President Tinubu’s suspension of Rivers State Governor, Deputy Governor, and the House of Assembly on Tuesday, March 18, 2025. PANDEF described the move as “shocking” and “widely condemned by most Nigerians.”

    According to PANDEF, the declaration of a State of Emergency comes just days after President Tinubu hosted a high-level South-South delegation that included traditional rulers, former governors, and ex-service chiefs. During that meeting, Tinubu had reportedly commended PANDEF’s Peace and Reconciliation Committee for its mediation efforts in the Rivers political crisis and encouraged them to continue their work.

    Despite the President’s assurances, PANDEF highlighted several troubling developments leading up to the emergency declaration:

    On March 12, 2025, just a day after the delegation’s visit, FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, whom PANDEF accuses of fueling the political crisis in Rivers State, made “derogatory remarks” against the group and Niger Delta leaders. Tinubu has not reprimanded Wike despite public outrage.

    Governor Siminalayi Fubara had expressed his willingness to present the 2025 budget in line with a Supreme Court judgment and the President’s directive. However, the Rivers State House of Assembly abruptly went on indefinite adjournment on March 14 and later initiated impeachment proceedings against the Governor and his Deputy.

    On March 17, PANDEF formally wrote to President Tinubu expressing concerns over the obstruction of the budget presentation by the FCT Minister and the House of Assembly.

    On March 18, just a day before the Governor was scheduled to present the budget, Tinubu declared a State of Emergency, effectively removing the elected state leadership.

    PANDEF recalled that in May 2013, Tinubu had strongly opposed former President Goodluck Jonathan’s declaration of a State of Emergency in Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa states during the height of Boko Haram insurgency. At the time, Tinubu had condemned the move as a “diabolic partisanship” meant to undermine democracy. PANDEF now questions why Tinubu would take even more drastic action against Rivers State, where the situation is far less dire than in the insurgency-ravaged North.

    The group also pointed out that similar pipeline attacks have occurred in the past without triggering a military response or emergency declaration. It criticized the government’s double standards, noting that states in the North, which have suffered repeated terrorist attacks, have not faced such measures.

    Furthermore, PANDEF questioned the timing of the emergency rule, as the Court of Appeal was yet to rule on the legality of the Rivers State House of Assembly members involved in the crisis. The group sees the move as a deliberate attempt to subvert ongoing judicial processes.

    In its communiqué, PANDEF urged the National Assembly, led by Senate President Godswill Akpabio and House Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, to reject what it called an “onslaught on democratic governance.” The group vowed to continue advocating for peace and pursuing all constitutional means to challenge the President’s actions.

    Signed by top PANDEF leaders, including Co-Chairmen HRM Alfred Diete-Spiff and Obong Victor Attah, National Chairman Amb. Dr. Godknows Igali, and National Spokesman Chief Obiuwevbi Ominimini, the communiqué underscores PANDEF’s determination to resist what it sees as an unjustified political intervention in Rivers State.

    As tensions rise, the Niger Delta waits to see how both the government and the National Assembly will respond to these accusations of political overreach.

  • PANDEF alarmed by state of emergency declared in Rivers State

    PANDEF alarmed by state of emergency declared in Rivers State

    The Pan-Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has expressed deep concern over the state of emergency declared in Rivers State by President Bola Tinubu, describing the crisis as “ordinarily avoidable.”

    In a statement signed by its National Spokesman, Chief Dr. Obiuwevbi Christopher Ominimini, PANDEF noted that it is closely monitoring the situation and will soon release its official position.

    “For the past few months, Rivers State has been engulfed in political turmoil involving Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and 27 elected members of the State House of Assembly,” the statement read.

    Earlier today, President Tinubu announced the suspension of Governor Fubara, Deputy Governor Odu, and all 27 elected lawmakers for an initial period of six months.

    “By this declaration, the Governor of Rivers State, Mr. Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Mrs. Ngozi Odu, and all elected members of the House of Assembly of Rivers State are hereby suspended for an initial period of six months,” the President stated.

    To oversee the state’s affairs, President Tinubu appointed Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (Rtd) as the Administrator, citing the need to restore stability and protect the interests of the people of Rivers State.

    The decision has sparked widespread reactions, with various stakeholders voicing concerns over the implications of the emergency rule. PANDEF, a leading voice in the Niger Delta region, has pledged to assess the situation carefully before making further pronouncements.

    As tensions persist, all eyes remain on the federal government and the affected political figures in Rivers State.

  • Niger Delta youths give Wike 48 hours to retract remarks against PANDEF, Edwin Clark

    Niger Delta youths give Wike 48 hours to retract remarks against PANDEF, Edwin Clark

    The Niger Delta youth chapter of the apex socio-political body for the South-South geopolitical zone, the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), has issued a 48-hour ultimatum to Nyesom Wike, the minister of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), to retract his publicly disparaging remarks against the Ijaw nation and the leaders of this socio-political body.

    According to the youths, it was embarrassing that Wike insulted the late former Federal Commissioner for Information and South-South Leader, Chief Edwin Clark, even in death without respecting him.

    Addressing journalists on Saturday, the National Youth President of the Youth Wing, Doben Donyegha, who gave the ultimatum, said that it was annoying that Wike abused the leaders of the South-South geopolitical zone less than 24 hours after its delegation met with the President at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

    Recall that the FCT minister had, on Thursday, during a media chat, described PANDEF as “the worst organisation anybody can rely on”, while also calling the board of trustee members of the body “political merchants”.

    Donyegha, who also urged President Bola Tinubu to immediately sack the minister from his cabinet, said that the youth wing no longer had confidence in him and that keeping Wike in his cabinet may affect the president’s re-election chances in the Niger Delta come 2027.

    The President of the PANDEF youths also asked the Code of Conduct Bureau to investigate the minister, alleging land-grabbing activities in the FCT.

    Details later…

  • PANDEF urges Supreme Court to reconsider ruling on Rivers State FAAC allocation

    PANDEF urges Supreme Court to reconsider ruling on Rivers State FAAC allocation

    The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has expressed deep concern over the recent ruling by the Supreme Court of Nigeria, which has halted the disbursement of Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) funds to Rivers State. The group warns that this decision could have severe consequences for the state’s citizens, economic stability, and ongoing peace efforts in the Niger Delta region.

    In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Chief Dr. Obiuwevbi Ominimini, PANDEF emphasized that Rivers State—one of the nation’s key contributors to the oil and gas sector—should not suffer fiscal strangulation due to a political dispute that is “eminently resolvable.” The forum argued that withholding funds essential for economic growth, social welfare, and infrastructure development would disproportionately impact the people of Rivers State.

    While reaffirming its commitment to peace, reconciliation, and conflict resolution, PANDEF called on the Supreme Court to reconsider its decision. The group stressed that fairness, equity, and national unity must guide judicial and political decisions, particularly those affecting the South-South region, which remains crucial to Nigeria’s economic stability.

    The ruling, according to PANDEF, could derail ongoing peace-building efforts, including the Obong Victor Attah-led Peace and Reconciliation Committee, which has made significant progress in fostering stability in Rivers State. The forum urged the Federal Government, political actors, and the judiciary to ensure that governance and economic development take precedence over political rivalries.

    Drawing historical parallels, PANDEF likened the situation to the withholding of local government funds from Lagos State during the tenure of former Governor Bola Ahmed Tinubu by then-President Olusegun Obasanjo. That action, widely condemned both locally and internationally, was seen as a politically motivated move that set a dangerous precedent. The group warned that a similar scenario in Rivers State could have even more dire consequences for peace and security in the Niger Delta.

    PANDEF reaffirmed its unwavering stance on justice, dialogue, and sustainable development, urging all stakeholders to work toward a fair resolution that does not victimize the people of Rivers State.

  • ‘Mighty Iroko tree’ has fallen, PANDEF mourns Edwin Clark

    ‘Mighty Iroko tree’ has fallen, PANDEF mourns Edwin Clark

    The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has announced the passing of Chief Senator Dr. Edwin Kiagbodo Clark, OFR, CON, a revered national leader and elder statesman. Chief Clark died peacefully in Abuja on the evening of Monday, February 17, 2025, at the age of 97, surrounded by family and loved ones.

    The announcement was made through a press statement signed by Olorogun (Sir) Obiuwevbi Ominimini, Ph.D., the National Publicity Secretary/Spokesman of PANDEF. It was jointly issued by Professor College Clark of the Clark-Fuludu-Bakederemo family of Kiagbodo, Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State, and Ambassador Dr. Godknows Igali, OON, the National Chairman of PANDEF.

    Describing his passing as the fall of a “mighty Iroko tree,” the statement highlighted Chief Clark’s towering contributions to public service, politics, and community development over 75 years.

    A distinguished lawyer, activist, and politician, Chief Edwin Clark was a prominent leader of the South-South region of Nigeria and the Ijaw ethnic nationality. He founded PANDEF and co-led the South and Middle Belt Leaders Forum (SMBLF), advocating tirelessly for justice, equality, and human rights.

    Throughout his career, Chief Clark was known for his outspoken defense of marginalized communities and his relentless pursuit of a fair and equitable society. His contributions extended beyond politics into the legal profession, education, and community development—where he founded several universities.

    “Pa Clark was indeed a towering figure in Nigeria, known for his tireless advocacy for justice and human rights,” the statement read. “His brilliant mind and generous spirit will continue to inspire future generations to strive for a more just and compassionate society.”

    As he quietly departs just months before his 98th birthday, PANDEF expressed comfort in the biblical words from Acts 13:36:

    “After he had served the purpose of God in his own generation, he fell asleep and was allowed to rest.”

    Chief Edwin Clark’s passing comes shortly after the death of his longtime associate and fellow elder statesman, Pa Ayo Adebanjo, prompting further reflection on the end of an era in Nigeria’s political and social landscape.

    The statement concluded by noting that details of his funeral arrangements will be announced in due course.

    May the soul of Chief Edwin Kiagbodo Clark rest in peace.