Pan-Niger Delta Forum, PANDEF, led by the South-South leader, Chief Edwin Clark has set up a High Level Peace and Reconciliation Committee to mediate on and resolve the lingering crisis between the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Administration, FCTA, Nyesom Wike and Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State.
In a Communique issued at the end of its Special General Assembly meeting held in Port Harcourt weekend, PANDEF said that the reconciliatory committee is also saddled with the responsibility of nipping in the bud, all disputes and conflicts within the area.
The Communique was signed by King Alfred Diette-Spiff, the Amayanabo of Twon Brass and first Military Governor of Rivers State as Co-Chairman, Board of Trustees; former Governor of Akwa ibom State, Obong Victor Attah, Co-Chairman, Board of Trustees; former Nigeria Ambassador to Scandinavian countries( Sweden, Denmark, Finland and Norway), Dr. Godknows B. Igali, National Chairman; Hon Godwin Okotie, Ag. National Secretary and Dr. Obiuwevbi Ominimini, National Spokesman.
The Reconciliation Committee which is headed by Obong Victor Attah, Co-Chairman, Pandef BOT, has Senator Emmanuel Ibok-Essien; former Senate Whip, Senator Rowland Owie; Senator Stella Omu; former Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, Rear Admiral G. John-Jonah; H. E. Pam Ogar, and Rt. Hon. Dr. Stella Dorgu as members.
It said, “The Assembly hereby sets up a High Level Peace and Reconciliation Committee to mediate on and resolve all disputes and conflicts within the area. The Committee is headed by His Excellency, Obong Victor Attah, Co-Chairman, Pandef BOT. Others on the Committee are Senator Emmanuel Ibok-Essien, Senator Rowland Owie, Senator Stella Omu, H. E. Rear Admiral G. John-Jonah, H. E. Pam Ogar, and Rt. Hon. Dr. Stella Dorgu.”
Though the political quagmire between former Rivers State governor Wike and Fubara was not added in the Communique, but when PANDEF’s Spokesman was asked if it was part of the mandate, he said in a text that “Wike and fubare are not members of the cttee but the mandate of the cttee includes reconcilling their conflict.”
Recall that Wike and Fubara have been at loggerheads since the latter assumed office as governor in 2023, just as Fubara had said that his rift with Wike is tied to tussle over power and control in Rivers State.
The cold war between the duo had continued despite President Bola Tinubu and other relevant stakeholders’ intervention.
PANDEF has also condemned in very strong terms, the scrapping of the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs by President Bola Tinubu last week, calling on the federal government to further discuss the issue with a view to addressing several specific concerns, especially at a time when the government is pursuing policies to radically increase oil production.
The body said that the Federal Government dissolved the Ministry into a non-existing body without due consideration to those specific circumstances that led to its creation nor consultation with the critical stakeholders.
According to the Communique, the Ministry of Niger Delta was established to address specific issues bordering on the peculiar circumstances of the Niger Delta, its damaged environment and its overall importance to the national economy, even as it welcomed the proposed South-South Commission to supplement existing Federal Agencies, saying however that the name of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NÐDC) should reflect its functions and the actual membership.
Moved by the poor level of education in the region, PANDEF has called on the State Governments to guarantee tuition- free education at primary, secondary, and tertiary levels, advising that the Region should aim at an average of one tertiary institution in each of the 185 LGAs, adding that the minimum annual budget support in all the states of the Niger Delta should be 25% in line with the template recommended by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, UNESCO.
PANDEF has also called on the Federal Government to repair all failed roads, complete the East-West Highway, commence the building of the Calabar-Lagos railway, as well as set up maritime mass transit system for the riverine areas of the Niger Delta.
PANDEF at the end of the meeting also called on the Federal Government to show greater commitment in ensuring fairness in the manner in which the legal regime in the oil and gas sector, regarding participation of host communities is brought at par with the solid mineral sector, even as it urged Niger Delta investors to take advantage of the likely opportunities of the Energy Bank, especially in establishing modular and minor refineries as well as develop green and clean energy potentials in furtherance of the global Climate Change programmes.
The Communique read, ” A Special General Assembly of the Pan-Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) was held at the Hotel Presidential, Port Harcourt, Rivers State on October 24, 2024. The Assembly was was hosted by His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, the Governor of Rivers State and attended by delegates from all the six State Chapters, members of the Board of Trustees and National Executive Council. The Assembly was jointly chaired by His Royal Majesty, King Alfred Diette-Spiff, the Amayanabo of Twon Brass, first Military Governor of Rivers State, and Co-Chairman of PANDEF Board of Trustees and His Excellency, Obong Victor Attah, former Governor of Akwa Ibom State and Co-Chairman of PANDEF Board of Trustees.
“Other dignitaries present included former Governor of Rivers State, Chief Rufus Ada George and former Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, Rear Admiral Gboribiagha John-Jonah, former Chief of Defence Staff, General Alexander Ogomudia, His Royal Majesty, King Dandelson Jaja, Treaty King of Opobo Kingdom and Chairman, South South Monarchs Council. Others were serving and formersc Ministers, Ambassadors, Academics, leaders of Ethnic Nationality Organisations, Federal and states Legislators, leaders of women and youth associations, and the media.
“The theme of the Special General Assembly was: “Fostering Peace and Unity for Sustainable Development of the Niger Delta”. Goodwill messages were delivered by eminent leaders and nationalists of the South South geopolitical zone, including Chief Senator (Dr.) E. K. Clark, OFR, CON, Elder Statesman and National Leader of PANDEF, Senator Emmanuel Ibok Essien, National Chairman (PANDEF), Sen. (Dr.) Heineken Lokpobiri, Hon. Minister of State for Petroleum (Oil), Amb. Joe Keshi, Director-General (BRACED Commission, etc.”
