Politics

PANDEF Presents Eight-point Agenda To Tinubu, Seeks Intervention In Rivers Crisis

Published

6 months ago

March 13, 2025

The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene decisively in the lingering political crisis in Rivers State, warning that continued instability in the oil-rich region could have far-reaching consequences for national peace and economic stability.

During a high-profile visit to the State House in Abuja on Tuesday, PANDEF leaders, including traditional rulers, former governors, and senior political figures, presented an eight-point agenda to the President, highlighting pressing issues affecting the South-South geopolitical zone.

At the forefront of their concerns is the escalating political tension in Rivers State, where conflicting court rulings have deepened the divide between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike. Despite the governor’s public commitment to abide by a recent Supreme Court ruling, PANDEF expressed fears that the situation remains volatile.

To address the crisis, the group has constituted a High-Level Peace and Reconciliation Committee led by former Akwa Ibom State Governor, Obong Victor Attah. However, PANDEF leaders believe that only a direct intervention by President Tinubu can bring a lasting resolution. They urged the President to ensure that all parties prioritize peace and work towards an amicable settlement outside the courts.

PANDEF also pressed for the immediate assent to the South-South Development Commission Bill, which they argue is distinct from the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC). According to the group, while the NDDC focuses on oil-producing communities, a South-South Development Commission would drive holistic regional growth, similar to commissions established for other geopolitical zones.

The group called on the federal government to revisit the fallout of the 2002 International Court of Justice (ICJ) judgment that ceded the Bakassi Peninsula to Cameroon. PANDEF lamented the displacement of indigenous communities, warning that the affected people face the threat of cultural extinction.

Rising cases of kidnappings, violent attacks, and piracy in the South-South also featured prominently in PANDEF’s agenda. The leaders urged the government to strengthen security measures, warning that unchecked criminal activities could lead to a resurgence of militancy. They specifically called for the urgent establishment of a Coast Guard unit to protect coastal communities.

PANDEF criticized the inadequate allocation of funds for critical infrastructure in the South-South despite the region’s significant contributions to national revenue. They decried the deplorable state of key roads, including the East-West Road and the Calabar-Itu-Ikot Ekpene Road, and demanded immediate government intervention.

The group also called for the development of new deep-sea ports in Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, and Edo states to boost Nigeria’s maritime economy.

PANDEF urged the federal government to facilitate greater involvement of Niger Delta indigenes in the oil and gas industry, including leadership positions within the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and other key agencies.

They also advocated for the implementation of modular refineries to curb illegal oil refining, reduce pollution, and create economic opportunities for locals.

Reiterating concerns about environmental degradation due to oil exploration, PANDEF called for an expanded clean-up initiative beyond Ogoniland to other affected communities in the Niger Delta.

Concluding their presentation, PANDEF emphasized the need for constitutional reforms to return Nigeria to true fiscal federalism, a position they noted President Tinubu had championed in the past. They argued that restructuring the revenue-sharing formula would empower regions to drive their own development more effectively.

While President Tinubu has yet to make a public statement on PANDEF’s demands, sources at the meeting indicated that he assured the delegation of his administration’s commitment to addressing the concerns of the Niger Delta region.

With tensions in Rivers State still unresolved and economic challenges mounting, PANDEF’s appeal underscores the urgent need for decisive leadership to stabilize the South-South and ensure sustainable development.

(VANGUARD)

Related Topics:Fubara PANDEF Rivers Assembly

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Politics

ADC Will Take Over Aso Rock, Lagos Govt House In 2027 — Aregbesola

Published

4 hours ago

September 13, 2025

Editor

The National Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, has vowed that his party will unseat President Bola Tinubu and also take over Lagos state come 2027.

The former governor of Osun State made the pledge on Saturday, at an event where the leader of the Conscience Forum of the Labour Party (LP), Hon. Moshood Salvador, led members of the group to the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

The event which held in Lagos also marked the 25th anniversary of the Conscience Forum as a political group.

It had in attendance the National Secretary of the African Democratic Party, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, leadership of the ADC in Lagos state, and wards and zonal leaders of the Conscience Forum from the 20 Local Government Areas and 37 LCDAs in the state.

Addressing the new members, Aregbesola commended the leadership, executives and members of the Conscience Forum while tasking them on the need to take over the seat of power in Abuja and Lagos in 2027 general elections.

He pledged that the ADC will produce the next president of the country while charging the new intakes not to relent in their efforts to changing Nigeria for the better.

He said, “I am happy to be a part of this gathering. I am also happy to receive you into the ADC folds. We are the only one that can make it difficult to take over wherever we are if the Conscience Forum, good looking people with highly cultured leadership can organized this kind of event to make a declaration for the ADC and follow the line enunciated by the leader, surely, Alausa is a sure ticket for all of us.

“With our resolve, it won’t be difficult at all to take over the seat of power. It’s a simple strategy of one getting ten and each of the ten will equally get ten. Its operation ten over ten. Once we are able to get this done, that’s the end of it. We will surely meet at the Aso Rock Villa and produce the next president of the country. Once again, I am happy to be here and we must not relax our efforts to change Nigeria.”

Speaking on the move to the ADC, Salvador said the problems confronting the Labour Party has shown that it is not a party for the future.

He said, “Today, we are marking the 25 anniversary of the Conscience Forum and at the same time, for a wise man or people of wisdom, we look back to what you’ve achieved and look forward to what we are aiming to become. Our members were in Labour Party and the problem of the Labour Party has shown that they have lost the future. Its no more a party of the future and that is why, we have to think of where next since we have the new wave and the formation of coalition of political party, for anyone that wants something good of its members, the best is to join the coalition.

“This is not just the ADC. The ADC being the symbol of the coalition and that is why Conscience Forum, being a political group with over 400, 000 members in Lagos will have to showcase our structure including our LGA and Ward officers and so on. This is necessary for them to know the size of the group they are taking in. We chose today being our 25th anniversary to declare for the ADC so that our members will now join the ADC at their various ward levels.”

Politics

2027: Details Of Jonathan, Peter Obi Meeting Emerge

Published

9 hours ago

September 13, 2025

Editor

Details have emerged regarding the recent closed-door meeting between former President Goodluck Jonathan and former presidential candidate Peter Obi.

The two leaders are reportedly discussing strategies for a unified front in the 2027 presidential election.

The meeting took place on Thursday, with Obi disclosing insights about the engagement on his Facebook and X accounts.

The meeting was a continuation of previous conversations between the two leaders over strategies for the 2027 race.

The National Coordinator of the OBIdient Movement, Dr Yunusa Tanko, confirmed this in a statement on Friday.

“They (Jonathan and Obi) have been friends for a long time. The meeting was for them to fraternise and discuss how to rescue Nigeria.

“But for us in the OBIdient Movement, it would be great if Jonathan remains the respected statesman he is known for. He has done his best as President, he is respected, and this is the time for him to support his brother,” Tanko told Daily Trust.

Tanko further alleged that some politicians were plotting to use Jonathan against Obi but maintained that the Obidient Movement would not allow such a plan to succeed.

“We are aware of such moves, but we strongly believe they will not succeed.

“Many Nigerians believe the next president should come from the South, and for fairness, the South East should get the chance. Peter Obi is the ideal candidate,” he added.

Politics

Tinubu’s Mandate Accomplished In Rivers — Ibas

Published

18 hours ago

September 13, 2025

Editor

Rivers State Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (retd.), has stated that the mandate given to him by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has been “sufficiently achieved” with the restoration of democratic governance at the grassroots.

Ibas made the remark on Friday at Government House, Port Harcourt, during the presentation of the report on the recently concluded local government elections by the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC).

He recalled that Tinubu, on March 18, 2025, directed him to stabilise the state, re-establish its institutions, and return Rivers to full democratic governance following his appointment as sole administrator.

According to him, the successful conduct of the polls and the swearing-in of elected chairmen and councillors across the 23 local government areas marked the fulfilment of that mandate.

“Mr. President’s mandate to me was clear: to stabilise the state, create an enabling environment for the re-establishment of its institutions, and return Rivers State back to full democratic governance. With the successful conduct and swearing-in of local government chairmen and their councils, I believe we have decisively achieved the mandate that we were given,” Ibas stated.

He praised RSIEC for what he described as a credible and transparent election, noting that the exercise was free of harassment and voters freely expressed their choices.

Ibas added that the government would review the RSIEC report and issue a white paper in due course. He also commended his team, security agencies, and state officials for their contributions.

RSIEC Chairman, Dr Mike Odey, who presented the report earlier, described the election as a “historic achievement” for Rivers and the country. He stressed that it was organised, coordinated, and concluded within 30 days — an unprecedented record in Nigerian electoral history.