The National Chairman of the Pan Niger Delta Development Forum (PANDEF), Ambassador Godknows Igali, has charged Niger Deltans to unite and speak with one voice in order to achieve meaningful and purposeful development for the region.
Igali made the call at an interactive meeting with the PANDEF National Executive and Niger Deltans resident in Lagos during the inauguration of the Lagos State chapter and its executive.
Highlighting the long history of marginalisation faced by the Niger Delta people, Ambassador Igali, in a press release issued on Thursday, September 11, 2025, by PANDEF’s National Publicity Secretary, Chief Dr. Obiuwevbi Ominimini, recalled how regional leaders were compelled to protest in London before Nigeria’s independence — a struggle that led to the establishment of the Willink’s Commission.
“PANDEF belongs to all Niger Deltans. We in the national exco are only working for the common good of our people,” Igali said.
He lamented the disparity in federal representation, citing how Bayelsa was given only eight local government areas and five House of Representatives seats, compared to Kano’s 44 LGAs and over 24 House of Reps members.
“We cannot tell our children that in this democratic era, we were unable to speak against our marginalisation. We must unite instead of speaking separately as Urhobo, Ijaw, Itsekiri, Ndokwa, Ibibio, Anang, Oron, Efik, Ijagham, Edo, Isoko, and others,” he stressed.
Igali recalled that the creation of the Midwest State was achieved through the struggle of Niger Delta leaders, adding that the same spirit of resilience was needed today. He also acknowledged the leadership of PANDEF founder, Chief Edwin Clark, alongside eminent monarchs and leaders such as the Oba of Benin, the Olu of Warri, and the Obong of Calabar, who endorsed PANDEF at its formation in 2016.
The PANDEF Chairman noted that the group had earlier presented a 16-point demand to former President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa and expressed optimism that the Lagos chapter, led by Prof. Hope Eghagha, would grow into a global voice for Niger Deltans.
He announced plans for a Niger Delta cultural festival to be hosted in Lagos, as well as the creation of a South-South Investment Fund to promote investments in both oil and non-oil sectors.
Responding on behalf of Lagos-based Niger Deltans, Prof. Eghagha lamented the abandonment of key regional infrastructure, including seaports and the East-West Road. He also condemned the federal government’s neglect of the Ogidigben EPZ Gas Project, the military’s burning of Opuoma community in Delta, and the continued detention of its residents without trial.
The gathering further called on President Bola Tinubu to ensure the reinstatement of Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, describing his removal as unconstitutional.
The newly inaugurated Lagos interim executive includes: Prof. Hope Eghagha (Delta State) – Chairman, Chief Patrick Iyang (Cross River State) – Deputy Chairman, Prince Emmanuel Anderson Ogan (Rivers State) – Secretary, Sylvester Ebhodaghe (Edo State) – Publicity Secretary and Iwekumo Idris (Bayelsa State) – Woman Leader.
Ambassador Igali inaugurated the officials on behalf of the Board of Trustees and the National Executive Committee.
