…Issues Communique At The End Of Meeting On Wednesday, 3RD March 2021
A meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) was held on Wednesday, 3rd March 2021. In attendance were the National Leader of PANDEF, Chief E.K. Clark, OFR CON; Co-Chairman, BOT, His Excellency, Arc (Obong) Victor Attah, as well as members of the BOT, members of the National Executive Committee and selected representatives of State Executive Committees.
The meeting focused on filling positions in the National Executive Committee, which had become vacant on account of the death or resignation of members, including the position of National Chairman. The meeting also discussed the State of the Nation.
After exhaustive deliberations, at the end of the meeting, the following decisions were taken.
1. National Officers:
The BOT approved the nominations and election of the following officers:
Co-Chairmen of BOT –
His Royal Majesty, King Alfred Diete-Spiff, CFR, former Military Governor of old Rivers State,
His Excellency, Arc (Obong) Victor Attah, CON, former Executive Governor of Akwa Ibom State
National Chairman – Senator Emmanuel Ibok Essien, FNSE
Deputy National Chairman – Chief T.K. Okorotie, OFR
National Youth Leader – Hon. Bello Bina
National Director of Research – Chief (Dr.) Whiskey Ayakeme
Ex-Officio Member National (NEC) – Chief Kalaiti Jephthah
2. State of the Nation:-
The BOT exhaustively discussed various matters about the State of the Nation, and states as follows:
i. Expresses serious concern over the situation of insecurity and breakdown of law and order in several parts of the country. The BOT, therefore, condemns the expanding activities of Boko Haram, the audacious attacks by bandits, rampaging activities of Fulani herdsmen and the recent upsurge in the kidnapping of innocent students in Kakara, Niger State, in Jangebe, Zamfara State, and scores of innocent women, children and travellers from around the country.
ii. PANDEF, however, commends the effort of security services in securing the release of some of these abducted persons but calls on the Federal Government to redouble efforts to its constitutional obligation to protect the lives and properties of all Nigerians.
iii. Calls on the Federal Government to declare the inflammatory statements by Sheik Gumi on the activities of the terrorists and bandits, including inciting them against Christian soldiers and equating them with Niger Delta agitators as “Hate Speech” and take urgent measures to call him to order.
iii. Furthermore, PANDEF assures law-abiding Nigerians of a peaceful stay in all parts of the South-South but strongly warns criminal groups and their sponsors to stay away from the zone in their own interest.
iv. In the week’s ahead, PANDEF will work closely with the Governors of the South-South and Community Leaders to ensure that it puts in place appropriate security architecture to safeguard the security of our people within all lawful means.
v. With regards to the question of threats by some groups who style themselves as Association of Farmers and Cattle Breeders, PANDEF cautions them not to cause a chain of social and economic upheaval in the country. We remind those behind such an agenda to remember that other regions also can enforce similar blockades of other critical natural resources and produce.
vi. More importantly, we also charge our Governors and people of the region to show more commitment to the question of agriculture and food security. The South-South has never depended on food supplies from other parts of the country and with more commitment; such a bluff regarding food supply blockade will prove itself of no serious impact.
vii. PANDEF reminds the Federal Government that all geopolitical zones have now accepted the merits for Restructuring and True federalism. It must, therefore, show the will and courage to take immediate steps to give the country a rebirth through restructuring for peace, security and development.
The communique was jointly signed by Chief (Dr.) E. K. Clark, OFR, CON, HE Arc (Obong) Victor Attah, CON and Senator Emmanuel Ibok Essien, FNSE.