PANDEF plans mega rally on restructuring March

The struggle for the restructuring of the country will take a new dimension come in March, as the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) is embarking on a mega rally in its renewed struggle to liberate the Niger Delta from exploitation, oppression and neglect.

This was made known in a communique signed by leaders of the forum drawn from all the South-South states of the region and made available to journalists in Warri, Delta State.

The first-ever SOUTH-SOUTH MEGA RALLY ON RESTRUCTURING to be led by elder statesman, Chief Edwin Clark, will hold at the Samson Siasia Stadium in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State as agreed by monarchs, past and present political office holders, community leaders, academics, opinion moulders, leaders of thought, women and youth groups in the region.

According to the release, the key essence of the Mega Rally is to “mobilise and raise the consciousness of the people of the South-South region and to articulate a common, unified agenda on the subject matter of restructuring.”

Delegation expected from the South West, the release stated, would be led by Afenifere chieftains, Chief Ayo Adebanjo and Chief Olu Falae and a delegation from the South East to be led by the President-General of Ohanaeze, Chief Nnia Nwodo and former governor, Dr Chukwuemeka Ezeife.

Other expected delegations include statesmen from the Middle Belt led by the President of Middle Belt Forum (MBF), Dr. Bala Takaya and Jonah Jang, former Governor of Plateau State.

Speakers and participants, the release added, shall be drawn from across political, economic and social spectra; government and non-governmental organisations from the whole country.

The release reiterated that there was the need to “re-emphasise and redefine the essence and significance of the PANDEF’s 16-point demands to serve as the basis of constructive engagement with the Federal Government and other geopolitical zones in the United Federal Republic of Nigeria, on the platform of equity, fairness and justice.”

PANDEF averred that restructuring the country had become germane in a situation where resources are taken from the Niger Delta region is controlled, managed and retained by “others who contribute nothing in return to the development of our region.”

“Arising from series of strategic meetings of Southern Nigerian Leaders with PANDEF, the Afenifere, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the Middle Belt Forum, and other stakeholders, in Lagos and Abuja respectively, and in each region, it was resolved that the campaign for restructuring should be extended more to grassroots levels.

“To this end, the South-West region held her own Summit/Rally on restructuring at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Adamasingba, Ibadan, Oyo State on Thursday, September 7, 2017, and our own Chief A.K Horsfall led the South-South delegation to the rally, while the South East delegation was led by Chief Nnia Nwodo, President General, Ohanaeze Ndigbo.