PANDEF to Tinubu: Political crisis, conflicting, contradictory court rulings in Rivers pose significant threat to national stability
*Amicable resolution must be sought outside courts
*Bakassi issue should be revisited
*Rising spate of insecurity in South-South alarming
*Practice of Fiscal Federalism needed for development
STATEMENT BY PAN NIGER DELTA FORUM (PANDEF) PRESENTED AT VISIT TO HIS EXCELLENCY,
PRESIDENT BOLA AHMED TINUBU, GCFR,
BY LEADERS OF THE SOUTH-SOUTH GEOPOLITICAL ZONE AT THE STATE HOUSE, ABUJA, TUESDAY, 11TH MARCH, 2025
PROTOCOL
We would like to begin by expressing our profound gratitude to His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for graciously granting us this audience. The significance of this invitation is not lost on us, and in recognition of its importance, we have temporarily set aside our period of mourning following the passing of our revered leader, Chief (Dr.) Edwin Clark, on 17th February 2025, to be present today.
2. Mr. President, as you may have observed, our delegation is substantial, comprising some of the most distinguished leaders from our region. Among us are esteemed traditional rulers, treaty kings, former Governors, past and present members of the National Assembly, senior political office holders, academics, and other key stakeholders.
3. We must however convey the regrets of some of our leaders who, due to prior commitments, are unable to join us here today. These include the Oba of Benin, who is concluding the traditional burial rites of his late mother, the Obong of Calabar, the Olu of Warri, the Dein of Agbor, and the Oku Ibom, the Supreme Ruler of the Ibibio people. They have specifically requested that we extend their warm regards and appreciation to you.
4. Our presence in such numbers today also underscores the deep ties between the Niger Delta and your administration. Beyond the fact that you are our in-law – given that your dear wife, the First Lady, Her Excellency Senator Oluremi Tinubu who plays a pivotal role in national development is our daughter – we also acknowledge the inclusion of our son, Senator Godswill Akpabio, as Senate President. His emergence marks the first time in 45 years that a leader from our region has held this esteemed position since the tenure of the late Senator Joseph Wayas. It is our earnest prayer that the strong partnership between you and the Senate President will continue to advance our democracy and national progress.
5. Furthermore, we are pleased that a number of our sons and daughters in your cabinet are being given the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to national governance. In particular, we are pleased, and we commend you for putting in place a substantive Board and management of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), which is performing quite creditably. This is same for the management of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) whose effort is helping to sustain peace in the Niger Delta and for the overall benefit of the national economy.
6. Mr. President, beyond extending our goodwill, we also wish to bring to your attention a number of pressing issues of great concern to our region and the nation at large:
i. The Political Crisis in Rivers State
7. Foremost among our concerns is the escalating political crisis in Rivers State, which poses a significant threat to national stability. Despite your fatherly efforts to mediate between the parties involved, the situation continues to deteriorate due to conflicting and contradictory court rulings. This protracted conflict is a matter of grave concern, as Rivers State is a strategic economic hub, particularly in the oil and gas sector – the backbone of our national revenue. Any instability there has far-reaching implications not just for the South-South but for the entire country.
8. It is very commendable that the Governor of the State has publicly expressed willingness to fully abide by the recent Supreme Court ruling. Yet, tensions are at a boiling point, and urgent intervention is needed to prevent a full-blown crisis. Let us also not forget that our region is still recovering from protracted years of crisis, when the national economy equally suffered heavily. In light of this, we have proactively established a High-Level Peace and Reconciliation Committee, chaired by Obong Victor Attah, with eminent members including former Military Governor of Kwara State, Col. Pam Ogar; Senators Emmanuel Ibok Essien, Rowland Owie, and Stella Omu; former Bayelsa State Deputy Governor, Rear Admiral G. John-Jonah (rtd); and Rt. Hon. Stella Dorgu. While the committee has made some progress, full cooperation from some, remain elusive.
9. We therefore urge you, Mr. President, to impress upon all stakeholders, particularly a member of your cabinet, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Wike, and the Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency Sir Siminalayi Fubara, the necessity of prioritising peace. An amicable resolution must be sought outside the courts, ensuring that no party is considered superior to the other and that a win-win outcome is achieved.
ii. South-South Development Commission
10. Your administration’s commitment to devolution of power and regional development is commendable, as reflected in the establishment of Development Commissions for various regions. However, we are deeply concerned that the South-South Development Commission Bill, which was duly passed by the National Assembly, has yet to receive presidential assent.
11. It is important to clarify that the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) is distinct from the proposed South-South Development Commission. The NDDC was specifically designed to address issues related to the oil and gas industry which extends beyond the geographic boundaries of the Niger Delta, with a dedicated funding mechanism.
12. The NDDC, just like the HYPPADEC (Hydroelectric Power Producing Areas Development Commission), which is created for hydro power producing states, is intended to address specific environmental and social development needs of hydro power producing areas. Hence, that body, HYPPADEC, still exist, side by side with the new regional development bodies now being established.
13. We, therefore, implore and submit to Mr. President that the NDDC be retained for all oil-producing states, while the South-South Development Commission is established to drive holistic regional development under the Ministry of Regional Development as is the case with the other five regions.
iii. Need to Revisit the Bakassi Dilemma
14. Mr. President, the 2002 ICJ Judgement on Bakassi Peninsula and the Green Tree Agreement have left an indelible mark on Nigeria’s history. The aftermath of these developments continues to have a devastating impact on the communities affected by it, displacing thousands of Nigerians and denying them access to their ancestral lands, livelihoods, and basic amenities. Furthermore, these communities face the looming threat of cultural genocide. We do not wish to dwell on past mistakes, but rather, we urge the need to revisit this matter with a view to mitigating its impact on the affected communities and the fortunes of Cross River State as a whole.
iv. Rising Spate of Insecurity in the South-South
15. We commend your administration’s efforts to curb insecurity across the nation. However, we must draw attention to the alarming increase in kidnappings, violent attacks, and the activities of so-called “unknown gunmen” in our region. There is growing concern that, as security operations intensifies in other parts of the country; criminal elements are migrating southward, leading to unprecedented levels of violence in our communities. Similarly, there is a rising upsurge in the incidents of sea piracy around our coastal communities.
16. If left unchecked, this could force local populations to resort to self-help, a situation we must collectively work to prevent. We therefore call for enhanced security measures, including improved intelligence gathering and stronger enforcement efforts to ensure the safety and stability of our region. We urge that the proposed Coast Guard, which draws its staffing mostly from the littoral states be established forthwith.
v. Critical Infrastructure Deficit in the South-South
17. Despite our region’s significant contributions to national revenue, the Niger Delta remains plagued by severe infrastructure deficits. A review of the 2025 Budget reveals disproportionately low allocations for critical infrastructure projects in our region compared to others.
18. The state of our road networks, including the East-West Road, Benin-Auchi Road, Benin-Warri and Calabar-Itu-Ikot Ekpene Road, is deplorable. Additionally, the near-total dysfunction of our seaports is a major economic setback, given that the Niger Delta occupies the largest portion of Nigeria’s coastline. At a time when the global focus is shifting toward the Blue Economy, leveraging our maritime potential could position Nigeria as a regional economic powerhouse. We, therefore, urge the federal government to prioritize infrastructural investments in the South-South. In particular we endorse the demand for new deep sea ports in Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa and Edo States, amongst others, which have all been in the front burner for quite a while now as a necessary game changer for our national maritime industry.
vi. Increasing Oil Production and need for greater participation of the Niger Delta in the Oil and Gas Sector
19. We acknowledge the federal government’s commitment to optimising the benefits of the Niger Delta’s oil and gas resources for national economic growth. As leaders of the oil-producing communities, we assure you of our continued cooperation in sustaining and enhancing oil production. We will work closely with relevant authorities to ensure that production levels remain stable and that host communities benefit equitably.
20. We realise that one of the most vexed issues with regards to the oil industry is the question of oil theft and illegal bunkering. We as community leaders have continued to work with the security agencies and other bodies designated by the government to bring this to the barest minimum. However, we again bring up the earlier decision of the Federal Government under former President Muhammadu Buhari to make funds available under the NCMDB (Local Content Board) to provide counterpart funding for development of Modular Refineries around the South-South where the oil is produced. This will produce economic corridors all around, create jobs and improve the means of livelihood of people in the area. This we think is a major step towards curbing the incidences of illegal refining activities, pipeline vandalism and pollution of the environment. We believe this will be a major achievement of your government, if followed through.
21. We also request Mr. President to ensure that top management positions in the oil and gas industry including Chief Executives in various parastatals and even the NNPC are manned by some of our sons and daughters, many of whom have cognate qualifications. Closely related to this is the question of the Gas Flare Penalty Fund for which there is a need for Presidential directive towards the setting up an Implementation Committee to ensure its release and utilisation.
vii. Environmental Remediation
22. We reiterate the urgent need for continued environmental remediation across the Niger Delta, which has suffered decades of degradation due to oil exploration. While we recognize the ongoing Ogoni clean-up efforts, this represents only a fraction of the broader environmental challenges facing the region. We advocate for a phased remediation and clean-up program targeting the most impacted communities, with plans for scaling up over time.
viii. Fiscal Federalism
23. Finally, this address would not be complete without reference to the burning national question of how to return Nigeria to the practice of Fiscal Federalism, especially in the light of the flaws in the 1999 Constitution. This is not alien to you, Your Excellency, as you have on several occasions been its strong advocate. Of all the reforms, this is one reform which we strongly believe will propel Nigeria into the path of rapid, harmonious, holistic development.
Conclusion
24. Mr. President, we reaffirm our unwavering support for your administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda and its initiatives aimed at national development. We believe this engagement marks a new chapter in the relationship between the South-South and your government. You can count on our full cooperation in realizing a shared vision for prosperity, stability, and progress.
25. Your success will be our collective success, and we stand ready to work alongside you to ensure a better future for our people and our nation.
26. Thank you, Your Excellency.
