The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), the foremost socio-political body of the South-South region, has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his decision to release Rivers State’s statutory allocation.

During a media interaction at Uyo Airport on Saturday, PANDEF’s newly appointed National Chairman, Ambassador Godknows Igali, expressed his satisfaction with the President’s move, describing it as a commendable and statesmanlike decision.
This was contained in a statement issued on Sunday by PANDEF Spokesman,Chief Dr. Obiuwevbi Ominimini and was made available to the Guardian innAbuja
The statement quoted Ambassador Igali to have stressed that the action would bring much-needed relief not only to the people of Rivers State but also to Nigeria as a whole.

Ambassador Igali further emphasized that this decision would shield the citizens of Rivers State from suffering due to the ongoing political conflict within the state’s leadership.
He expressed hope that the President’s action would complement the ongoing peace efforts led by the Obong Victor Attah-led High-Level Peace and Reconciliation Committee, which was recently set up by PANDEF.

The PANDEF leader also called on all political figures, youth, and women’s groups in Rivers State to embrace peace, follow the example set by the federal government, and support the reconciliation process being spearheaded by the region’s elders.

PANDEF reiterated its commitment to fostering peace and unity across the Niger Delta region, emphasizing that collaboration among political leaders is essential to the region’s progress and stability.
The PANDEF leader again called on all political actors and leaders in Rivers State as well as youth and women groups to sheath the sword and follow the step taken by the federal government in de-escalating tension while the reconciliation effort by the elders of the region is ongoing.

The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has expressed confidence in its recently inaugurated a high-level Peace and Reconciliation Committee, tasked with resolving political crises in the South-South region.
The committee, chaired by former Akwa Ibom State Governor Chief Obong Victor Attah, was established at PANDEF’s Special General Assembly in Port Harcourt on October 24, 2024.

The new committee includes prominent figures such as former Senate Whip Senator Rowland Owie, former Deputy Governor of Bayelsa Rear Admiral G. John-Jonah (rtd.), and Ambassador Dr. Godknows Igali, who also serves as PANDEF’s newly appointed National Chairman.
The committee is set to mediate lingering conflicts in the region, focusing on fostering unity and sustainable peace among communities.

Dr. Igali expressed optimism about the initiative, emphasizing that the committee will provide a platform for all voices to be heard. “The mandate of the Peace and Reconciliation Committee is to engage with key stakeholders, resolve conflicts, and strengthen bonds within the Niger Delta community,” he said.

The leadership of PANDEF has urged the government, civil society organizations, and community leaders to work collaboratively with the committee to bring lasting peace to the Niger Delta.
In his statement, PANDEF National Spokesman Chief Dr. Obiuwevbi Christopher Ominimini assured that all underlying issues will be addressed, affirming PANDEF’s commitment to fostering unity in the region.

The committee’s first steps are expected to include consultations across states in the South-South geopolitical zone, aiming to set the groundwork for reconciliation and renewed cooperation within the Niger Delta.

The recent dissolution of the Itsekiri National Youths Council (INYC) executive by the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III, has stirred debate within the Itsekiri community, with INYC Adviser Comrade Emiko Oghomienor challenging the monarch’s authority to make such a decision.

The Olu of Warri announced the dissolution at his palace, citing the INYC’s alleged failure to adopt a new constitution and conduct elections.
In response, the palace appointed leaders from the National Association of Itsekiri Graduates and the National Association of Itsekiri Students (NAIS) to draft a new INYC constitution, with Chiefs Omolubi Newuwumi and Wilson Olley serving as advisers to the committee.

However, Oghomienor argued that only the INYC’s Board of Trustees has the constitutional power to dissolve the council’s leadership.
He stated that the current executive, led by Comrade Weyinmi Isaac Agbateyiniro and Acting President Comrade Godwin Utieyin, is set to serve until December 2024, with established procedures governing any potential dissolution.

“The Olu of Warri is traditionally presented with INYC leadership for royal blessing, but does not oversee its election process,” Oghomienor said, emphasizing that INYC’s creation came from the vision of patriotic Itsekiri leaders independent of the monarchy’s influence.

He affirmed that the current leadership would complete its term, with future elections to follow the council’s existing constitution, allowing for any necessary amendments.

The development highlights differing perspectives within the Itsekiri community on the role of traditional authority in youth organization governance, underscoring ongoing efforts to maintain INYC’s autonomy.

According to the new development,
“In the interim, the Palace has immediately appointed Presidents of the National Association of Itsekiri Graduates and National Association of Itsekiri Students (NAIS) as the core of a committee to draft a new constitution for INYC, with Chief Omolubi Newuwumi and Chief Wilson Olley working as Advisers”, the announcement stated.
But reacting through a statement on Tuesday, Oghomienor, maintained that only the Board of Trustees of INYC is statutorily empowered to dissolve the association.
He said :” Even the Board of Trustees of INYC, which is constitutional empowered to dissolve exco of the body, has laid down procedures that must be followed, whenever the necessity arises.

“In this instance, there’s no need to announce dissolution of the current leadership of INYC, led by Comrade Weyinmi Isaac Agbateyiniro, with Comrade Godwin Utieyin Acting as President. The tenure of the current INYC leadership terminates December 2024, which is barely two months away, one now wonders the bases on which the purported dissolution was announced. ”

“The issue that was on ground for days, was exploring ways to amend the existing constitution of INYC, not drafting a new constitution as being insinuated.

“The Olu of Warri, right from the inception of INYC, is only presented with leadership of the body for royal blessing, not determining the process of electing INYC executive.
“For the records, INYC was birthed as a result critical circumstances, by very mature, patriotic and forward thinking Itsekiris, it’s not a body for children or inexperienced youths.”

Oghomienor, emphasized: “I am not aware of any ethnic nationality in the Niger Delta or other parts of Nigeria, where traditional rulers or institutions, delve into the election of youth executive for ethnic nationalities.
“The current leadership of INYC, will see their tenure through and election of new exco, will be done in – line with the existing constitution of INYC, subject to further amendments.”