…as Niger Deltans in Lagos embrace organization
The Pan Niger Delta Forum, PANDEF, has again emphasized the marginalization of the Niger Delta region at an interactive meeting between the Executive Committee of the PANDEF and Niger Deltans resident in Lagos on September 11, 2025.
A press statement signed by Dr. Obiuwevbi Ominimini, PANDEF National Publicity Secretary on September 11, 2025 said PANDEF ExCo led by its National Chairman, Ambassador Godknows Igali admonished Niger Deltans in Lagos to unit and speak with one voice in order to achieve a common and purposeful development for the region.
Ambassador Igali emphasized the marginalization of the Nigeria Delta people as far back as the pre-independence era which saw leaders of the region protesting in London that led to delay in Nigeria’s independence and setting up of the Willinks Commission.
”PANDEF belongs to all Niger Deltans. It did belong to National exco. We are only working for all Niger Deltans, Igali explained.
Addressing the Lagos based Niger Deltans, Amb. Igali made reference to the military dictatorship era in Nigeria’s history when states where created by military fiat without any input from the people when 44 LGAs and 24 House of Representatives seats where allocated to Kano State but Bayelsa which bears the brunt of oil exploration as a national cash cow got only 9”8 LGAs and 5 House of Representatives seats.
Ambassador Igali said at that time they could not talk because of the fear of guns but that now within a democratic dispensation, they cannot tell their children that they couldn’t speak to the powers that be over the plight of the people of the region and their marginalization.
“It is on this basis that we must have unity and speak with one voice instead of speaking separately as Urhobo, Ijaw, Itsekiri, Ndokwa, Ibibio Anang, Oron, Efik, Ijagham, Edo, Ishan, Isoko, Ogoni etc.
“Midwest State was not given to our people on a platter of gold. Our leaders fought for it. Therefore we must imbibe the spirit of our past leaders which was handed over to us by our late leader, Chief Edwin Kiagbodo Clark who was given the mantle of leadership at the formation of PANDEF which had eminent Niger Deltans including First Class Monarchs like the Oba of Benin, Orodje of Okpe, Olu of Warri, Obong of Calaba, Agadagba of Egbema in 2016.
The National Chairmanmade reference to how PANDEF visited then Nigerian President, late Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, and handed over the Region’s 16-point demands. He Buhari was of the opinion that PANDEF Lagos will be like a global organization after inauguration of its Excecutive Committee, more so, as it shall be led by a scholar, in the person of Prof. Hope Eghagha.
“We shall, in no distance time organize a Niger Delta cultural festival that may take place in Lagos, and the country shall see that we have unity in Niger Delta. Our oil was used to develop Lagos and Abuja to our detriment. No land is better than Niger Delta for agriculture, says Igali
“We have decided to raise funds for investment to be called South – South Investment Fund, where some of our people can invest in the oil and non oil sector. We must save to invest, he added
“PANDEF from the beginning had eminent persons such as Gen Minima, a former Chief of Army Staff as Rivers State Chapter Chairman; Late Solomon Arase, fomer IGP as the Chairman of the Edo state Chapter; Prof G.G Darah as Chairman of Delta State Chapter, Senenator Henshaw as the State Chairman of Cross River, Late Dokpola, piloting the affairs of Bayelsa State with Late Air Cdr Idongesit Ikanga, a fomer Governor as the National Chairman.
He said, “Though we may not be able to wear the shoes, late Chief Edwin Clark left behind but that we shall continue to try our best even if it means bearing them with our hands.
Responding, on behalf of the Lagos based Niger Deltans, Prof Hope Eghagha noted the pitiful negligence of the Seaports in the Niger Delta and the East West Road. The House appreciated the efforts of the PANDEF National Exco and blamed the abandonment of the Ogidigben EPZ gas project on the federal government. He noted the selective, unjust treatment of Opuoma community in Delta State, which was burnt down by military command with persons arrested and detained to date without trial. He said this is against the principle of justice and fair hearing.
Based on the avibe injustice, Prof. Eghagha called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to ensure that the constitutional and democratically elected Governor of Rivers state, Sir Siminalaye Fubara, is reinstated to the office without further delay.
After all deliberations, an interim Executive Committee for Lagos State was inaugurated by the PANDEF National Chairman on behalf of the PANDEF Board of Trustees and National Executive Committee as follow:
1. Prof Hope Eghagha from Delta State as Chairman.
2. Chief Patrick Iyang from Cross River state as Deputy Chairman.
3. Prince Emnanuel Abderson Ogan from Rivers state as secretary.
4. Sylvester Ebhodaghe from Edo state as Publicity Secretary.
5. Iwekumo Idris from Bayelsa State as Women Leader.
