Don’t resume hostilities in Niger Delta, PANDEF begs militants

THREE days to the planned resumption of attacks on oil and gas assets in the Niger Delta by the Coalition of Niger Delta Agitators, the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has appealed to the agitators to sheathe their swords in the interest of peace and development.

The appeal came in a press statement signed by secretary of PANDEF, Dr Alfred Mulade and made available to journalists on Thursday in Warri, Delta State.

The agitators had earmarked September 10 as the day they’ll resume hostilities against oil and gas facilities in the region over delay in the implementation of the 16-point agenda top of which is fiscal federalism.

PANDEF, the recognised umbrella group of all stakeholders in the region, also condemned the October 1 quit notice issued on Yorubas and northerners, calling on them to remain calm and go about their businesses without fear.

“This threat of hostilities should not come at all, as PANDEF is committed to the attainment of peace and sustainable development of the Niger Delta Region, hinged on equity and justice, by constructively engaging the Federal Government and relevant stakeholders, on behalf of the region.

“Destruction of oil and gas assets and quit notice to northerners and Yorubas to vacate the region and threat of secession and not viable options.

“PANDEF is at the forefront of the advocacy of restructuring of this country, as the most viable alternative which is being pursued with all vigour, in collaboration with the south west, south east, the middle belt and some prominent personalities from the Northern parts of this country,” the Chief Edwin Clark-led forum enthused.

It urged the agitators to rescind their threats of destruction, quit notice and secession, as PANDEF redoubles its efforts towards a peaceful resolution of the challenges in the region, including the restructuring of the country the line with fiscal federalism.

Meanwhile, the Pan Niger Delta Peoples Congress (PNDPC) on Thursday reiterated that the Edwin Clark-led PANDEF has outlived its usefulness and thus can no longer speak or represent the region.

In a statement signed by the Coordinator, Media Affairs, Mr Monday Whiskey, PNDPC had no personal grouse against Clark or members of PANDEF but were only acting on the dictates of the people of the region.

The group said that it was the same former militants in the Niger Delta who gave PANDEF the mandate to represent them in negotiations with the Federal Government that has withdrawn the same and handed it over to PNDPC.

“We are not opposed to the Clark group – Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF). To be fair to them, they started this current process, but there are people who gave them the mandate – the ex-agitators.

“But somewhere along the line, these ex-agitators discovered that their method of operation was not in tandem with modern-day realities.

“It is these ex-agitators who withdrew the mandate earlier given to PANDEF that gave the same mandate to us in the PNDPC to represent them at this stage of the negotiation.

“We are not fighting with Chief Edwin Clark because he is our father, but when those whom you represent decide to change the pace of the dialogue, you have no choice but to obey those who gave you the mandate,” PNDPC enthused.

The group has, however, dissociated itself from the coalition of agitators which had earlier issued an ultimatum to northerners and Yorubas to quit the Niger Delta by October 1, 2017, saying “We are one Nigerian and would remain so for now.”