PANDEF condemns delay in lifting suspension of Fubara, inaugurates Lagos chapter, calls for unity to address Niger Delta marginalisation

PANDEF condemns delay in lifting suspension of Fubara, inaugurates Lagos chapter, calls for unity to address Niger Delta marginalisation
By John Okezie

Pan-Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has condemned the prolonged recall of Rivers State Governor, Siminalaye Fubara, whose administration was declared suspended on March 18, 2025, by President Bola Tinubu through a nationwide broadcast. The President had invoked Section 305(5) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) to declare a state of emergency in Rivers State due to lingering political unrest and a breakdown of governance in the state. Alongside Governor Fubara, the Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu and all members of the Rivers State House of Assembly were also suspended for an initial period of six months.

PANDEF National Chairman, Godknows Igali, traced the marginalization of the Niger Delta people back to colonial times and military rule, noting that despite these challenges, the region’s elected leaders must be treated with respect under Nigeria’s democratic system. “Delaying the recall undermines the democratic rights of the people of Rivers State and adds to the broader marginalization of the Niger Delta”, Igali stated.

He said this at an interactive meeting held in Lagos on Thursday, where the Pan-Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) National Executive Committee formally inaugurated its Lagos State chapter, emphasizing unity and collective action among Niger Deltans residing in the commercial city to advance the region’s development.
Igali, charged Niger Deltans to consolidate their voices against the longstanding marginalization of the Niger Delta people. He urged, “We must have unity and speak with one voice to achieve a common and purposeful development for the Niger Delta Region.”
In a statement signed by PANDEF National Publicity Secretary, Obiuwevbi Ominimini, the Forum’s National Chairman, recalling the historical roots of this marginalisation, explained, “The Niger Delta people were marginalized even before independence, leading our leaders to protest in London, which delayed Nigeria’s independence and resulted in the Willink’s Commission.”
He stressed that PANDEF is an organization for all Niger Deltans, not just the National Executive Committee. “We can tell our children that at a time, some soldiers seized power and allocated 44 Local Government Areas and over 24 House of Representatives seats to Kano State but gave only 8 LGAs and 5 House of Reps to Bayelsa State. We could not talk because of the fear of guns, but we can’t tell our children that in a democratic era like this, we couldn’t speak up over our plights and marginalisation.”
Acknowledging the diverse ethnic groups in the Niger Delta, he added, “Instead of speaking separately as Urhobo, Ijaw, Itsekiri, Ndokwa, Ibibio Anang, Oron, Efik, Ijagham, Edo, Ishan, or Isoko, Ogini, we must unite.”
The chairman highlighted the legacy of past leaders like the late Edwin Clark and the role of prominent traditional rulers in PANDEF’s leadership since its founding in 2016. “Midwest State was not given to our people on a platter of gold — our leaders fought for it. We must imbibe the spirit of our past leaders,” Igali said.
He also recounted recent engagements, including PANDEF’s presentation of the Niger Delta’s 16-point demands to President Buhari at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. Looking ahead, he pledged, “PANDEF Lagos shall be like a global organisation, especially under the leadership of professor Hope Eghagha. We will organize a Niger Delta cultural festival in Lagos to demonstrate our unity.”
On economic empowerment, Igali announced plans to establish a South-South Investment Fund aimed at generating resources to invest in both oil and non-oil sectors. “We must save to invest,” he emphasized.
The meeting acknowledged challenges such as neglect of seaports and East-West roads, abandonment of the Ogidigben EPZ gas project, and injustices like the military burning of Opuoma community in Delta State.
Eghagha, chair of the new Lagos chapter, reflected the house’s sentiments, noting, “The neglect of the seaports and infrastructure in the Niger Delta is a pity. We appreciate PANDEF National Exco’s efforts, but we must continue to press for justice and fairness.”
The interim PANDEF Lagos State Executive Committee inaugurated by Igali include Hope Eghagha from Delta State as Chairman, Chief Patrick Iyang from Cross River State as Deputy Chairman, Prince Emmanuel Abderson Ogan from Rivers State as Secretary, Sylvester Ebhodaghe from Edo State as Publicity Secretary, and Iwekumo Idris from Bayelsa as Woman Leader.