The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has lashed out at Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, over his disparaging comments about the organization.
Wike had described PANDEF as “the worst organisation anybody can rely on” during a media chat on Wednesday sparking outrage from the group.
Addressing a News Conference in Abuja on Friday, PANDEF’s Chairman, Board of Trustees, Obong Victor Attah, expressed deep concern over Wike’s comments, saying they were “unwarranted and unbecoming” of a public official.
Attah emphasized that PANDEF has made genuine efforts to resolve the lingering issues in Rivers State, but Wike’s comments have hindered progress.
“Three days ago, on Tuesday, 11th March 2025, an eminent delegation of PANDEF comprising some of the most distinguished elders from our region was received in audience by the President, His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR. Among the troubling issues facing the region for which we sought the President’s intervention was the potentially explosive political situation in Rivers State. We made it clear to Mr.
President that there was a need for him to impress upon the key personalities involved, one of whom is his cabinet minister, the necessity of prioritizing peace. We were firm in our resolve that an amicable resolution must be secured. Such a resolution as can only be secured by negotiation, hence our setting up of the Peace and Reconciliation Committee.
We brought to the attention of Mr. President, the difficulties that we were experiencing in trying to secure the cooperation of his cabinet minister for the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Wike, since all our attempts in the past to meet with the Hon. Minister had been rebuffed. Mr. President did not give us the impression that, in receiving us in audience, he was meeting with representatives of “the worst organization for anyone to rely on” as PANDEF has been described in a recent media chat by Chief Nyesom Wike. This however seems to have explained his refusal to met with the Peace and Reconciliation Committee.
Since the President has thrown the ball back in our court, we intend to bring this impasse to his attention in the firm believe that he can intervene and cause his minister for the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Wike to come to the negotiation table with PANDEF. It must be realized that it is not possible to clap with one hand and negotiations can only take place if the parties in dispute agree to make themselves accessible and available. Should this fail, PANDEF would have no other choice than to disband the Peace and Reconciliation Committee and withdraw totally from any attempt to resolve this unfortunate lock jam.
Our fear, however, is that this could have catastrophic consequences”
The organization called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene and caution Wike, urging him to retract his statement and apologize.
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PANDEF also warned that it would disband its peace and reconciliation committee if the parties in dispute fail to make themselves accessible and available.
Also Speaking, National Chairman of PANDEF Amb. Godknows Igali said PANDEF remains unwavering in its commitment to peace, stability, and equitable development in the Niger Delta.
He added that the group will continue to engage with great vigour, all relevant stakeholders in pursuit of lasting harmony in Rivers State and the broader South-South region.
(Editor: Paul Akhagbemhe)
