The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has called for greater unity among Niger Deltans to address marginalization and accelerate development in the region.

National Chairman of PANDEF, Ambassador Godknows Igali, made the call during the inauguration of the Lagos chapter of PANDEF for Niger Deltans residing in Lagos.

In a statement signed by PANDEF’s National Publicity Secretary, Dr. Obiuwevbi Ominimini, Igali announced plans to organize a Niger Delta Cultural Festival in Lagos to showcase the unity of the region’s diverse ethnic nationalities.

“Our oil was used to develop Lagos and Abuja to our detriment. No land is better than the Niger Delta for agriculture,” Igali said, adding that PANDEF is creating a South-South Investment Fund to enable Niger Deltans to invest in both oil and non-oil sectors.

He lamented that the marginalization of the Niger Delta predated Nigeria’s independence, recalling that the region’s leaders protested in London, an action that delayed independence and prompted the establishment of the Willink’s Commission.

“We can tell our children that, at a time, soldiers seized power and allocated 44 LGAs and over 24 House of Reps seats to Kano State, but gave Bayelsa only 8 LGAs and 5 seats. Then, we could not speak for fear of guns. But we cannot tell our children that in a democratic era such as this, we remained silent over our plight and marginalization,” he said.

Igali stressed the need for Niger Deltans to speak with one voice, regardless of ethnicity, rather than as Urhobo, Ijaw, Itsekiri, Ndokwa, Ibibio, Anang, Oron, Efik, Ijagham, Edo, Ishan, Isoko, or Ogini.

He also urged Niger Deltans to imbibe the spirit of past leaders, recalling that PANDEF was founded in 2016 under the leadership of Chief Edwin Clark, with the backing of prominent traditional rulers including the Oba of Benin, Olu of Warri, Orodje of Okpe, Obong of Calabar, and Agadagba of Egbema.

“Though we may not be able to wear the shoes Chief Edwin Clark left behind, we shall continue to try our best, even if it means bearing them with our hands,” Igali said.

Responding on behalf of Lagos-based Niger Deltans, Prof. Hope Egha lamented the abandonment of critical infrastructure such as the region’s seaports and the East-West Road.

He also condemned the neglect of the Ogidigben EPZ gas project and described the military’s destruction of Opuoma community in Delta State, along with the continued detention of its residents without trial, as a breach of justice and fair hearing.

The group urged President Bola Tinubu to intervene and ensure the reinstatement of the constitutionally elected Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, without further delay.