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.
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