President Bola Tinubu is currently holding a closed-door meeting with leaders of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) at the Council Chamber of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The meeting, which began at 4:15 pm with the arrival of President Tinubu, is expected to discuss various issues said to be critical to the interests of the oil-rich Niger Delta region.

Convened by the late elder statesman, Chief Edwin Clark, who passed away in February, PANDEF serves as the mouthpiece of the traditional rulers, leaders, and stakeholders of the coastal states of the Niger Delta.

At the commencement of the meeting, President Tinubu requested a minute of silence be observed in memory of Chief Clark.

PANDEF, attending the meeting with a large entourage, includes former governors, senior politicians, traditional rulers, and other key stakeholders.

Among those on PANDEF’s entourage are King Alfred Diette-Spiff, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of PANDEF; Obong Victor Attah, Co-Chairman of the Board of Trustees of PANDEF; Ambassador Godknows Igali, National Chairman of PANDEF; Senator Seriake Dickson; Professor Mike Ozekhome; former Cross River State Governor, Mr. Liyel Imoke; former Rivers Deputy Governor, Tele Ikuru; and former Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, Timi Alaibe.

Others include the Jaja of Opobo, Professor Dandeson Jaja; Senator Ita Enang; Senator Bassey Henshaw; Mrs. Ibim Semenitari, former acting Managing Director of the NDDC; Uche Secondus; Senator Andrew Uchendu; National Coordinator of Host Communities of Nigeria (HOSTCOM), Okareme Maikpobi; Niger Delta activist, Ms. Ann-Kio Briggs; and PANDEF spokesman, Chief Obiwevbi Ominimini.

Also attending are the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo; Minister of State for Petroleum (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri; Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga; Special Adviser on Media and Public Communications, Sunday Dare; and other aides of the President.