Pandef speaks of rivers crisis, other problems

Declaration of the Ambassador Dr Godknows Igali. National President of Pandef at the press conference on the situation on rivers

Ladies and gentlemen,

Usually, this press conference would have dedicated itself exclusively to the expression of Pandef’s appreciation to its excellence, the president Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for having kindly received the high-level South-South delegation at the State Chamber, Abuja, Tuesday, 11 March 2025. However, we found a deep emit that was referential that was later in a time, The fact that it was later, at once in a visit, later, on a visit on a visit, on a visit, on a visit, later, the average was later at once that was following the fact of being at once in a vision, which has a visit later, later, in a visit, after the fact that it was in a visit, later, in a visit, in a visit that is later, in a visit, then, following the coconut. Chat conducted by the honorable minister of the territory of the federal capital and former governor of the State of Rivers, the Nyesom Wike Capo, Wednesday 12 March 2025.

Purpose of the visit to Mr President

The visit to Mr. President, assisted by eminent south-south leaders, including the oldest traditional sovereigns in the region, former governors, senators, ministers, high retired military officers, entrepreneurs and other illustrious citizens, was held at the invitation of the same president. The meeting provided a precious platform to discuss urgent issues of national and regional importance, including:

I. The imperative of peace in the state of sparrows and mediation efforts during Pandef.
II. The need for presidential assent to the bill of the Commission for South-South Development (SSDC), approved by the National Assembly, to guarantee the fair development of the Region.
III. Development of urgent infrastructures, in particular road networks and optimal use and expansion of existing and new ports.
IV. Resolution of the socio-economic challenges that affect the victims of the Bakassi crisis.
v. Strategies to improve oil production and promote greater inclusion of the South-South indigenous in the governance of the oil and gas sector.
you. The need for systematic environmental cleaning in the states that produce oil.
VII. The continuous defense of true federalism and renovation.

Pandef’s expectations from the commitment

Pandef and the people of the South-South expect these problems, which Mr. President recognized with the follow-up action insurance, will be persecuted diligently, leading to tangible progress in the near future.

As for the situation in the state of spinners, Pandef fully embraced the directive of Mr. President to the organization to support his media and reconciliation efforts in progress: an initiative that has praised, recognizing the caliber of the people involved.

From that meeting, Pandef has intensified commitments with the main parties concerned, promoting dialogue to achieve a friendly resolution that guarantees lasting peace and harmony in the state of spinners.

Denigration comments by the honorable minister

It is, therefore, both shocking and unfortunate that, just 24 hours after this significant commitment with Mr. President – a commitment that has rekindled the hope of peace and stability – the honorable minister of the territory of the federal capital, the Nyesom Wike, held a media chat in which he launched an unjustified and deeply inappropriate attack for Pandef and his leadership.

In his observations, the honorable minister characterized Pandef as “the worst organization of all time” and has accused its members of visiting the presidential villa simply to solicit financial favors. These statements are not only false but also bewilderment of a public official of his stature.

Even more worrying were his denigrating observations directed to the revered South-South leaders, including the deceased head Ek Clark, a national icon and former leader of Pandef, whose inheritance was duly recognized by Mr. President during our visit, with a minute of silence observed in his honor. Equally unacceptable was the raw and disrespectful attack on another national treasure his majesty, King Alfred Diet-Spiff, a former military governor of the State of Rivers and current president of the Board of Directors of Pandef.

Pandef’s position

To make the record clear, Pandef the main socio-political organ that represents the South-South regions, composed of some of the most distinct personalities of Nigeria. The delegation to Mr. President included the presidents of at least four of the six traditional advice of the six South-South States, traditional sovereigns of main ethnic groups, former governors, previous officers of the Senate, prominent entrepreneurs, academics and high-level retired military officials.

It is therefore highly deplorable and totally unacceptable that a minister of the Federal Government shows such a brazen lack of respect towards individuals of this position. This attitude perhaps explains his continuous refusal of the Minister to engage with the Peace and Reconciliation Committee, which Pandef constituted until October 2024, despite repeated attempts to achieve.

The efforts of the Peace Committee and reconciliation

To avoid doubt, the peace and reconciliation committee, which remains committed to resolving the crisis of the state of the rivers, includes the distinct statists, including:

– Obong Victor Atth, former governor of the state of Akwa Ibom.
– Col. Pam Ogar, former military governor of the State of Kwara.
– Admiral Jonah John, former deputy governor of the state of Bayelsa.
– Capo Mrs. Stella Omu, Eng. Emmanuel Ibok-Essien and Senator Roland Owie, all three of the different moments, former head of the Senate.
– Rt. Hon. Stella Dorgu, former leader in the room of representatives.

While the Governor of the State of Rivers, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has shown the desire to commit himself to this committee, the honorable minister has constantly rejected all the attempts to achieve it by opening up to dialogue. Given his open hostility and the contemptuous attitude towards Pandef, the organization can no longer submit these estimated Nigerian senior in peace mission to these levels of contempt and lack of respect.

Appeal to Mr. President

Pandef with this one invites Mr President, as the father of the nation, to prevail over the honorable minister to withdraw his inflammatory declarations and extend the due due to these eminent Nigerian and traditional sovereigns who, after all, were esteemed guests of the commander in the lead. It is able to remember that the minister does not have the Niger-delta and that his incorrect conduct should not be forgiven.

Despite this deplorable development, Pandef remains unwavering in his commitment to peace, stability and fair development in the Niger delta. We will continue to commit ourselves with great vigor, all the parties concerned for the pursuit of lasting harmony in the state of spinners and in the wider south-south region.

Conclusion

We appreciate your time and attention. Thank you.

Signed
Ambassador Godknownows Boladei Igali

Related