Feeling humiliated, PANDEF asks Nigerian govt to explain why it tried to abort its assembly

The leadership of Pan Niger Delta Elders Forum (PANDEF) has asked the Nigerian government to explain why it attempted to abort the meeting of its quarterly fourth assembly.

The armed operatives of the Nigerian Police Force, who stormed and took over the Hotel Presidential, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, venue of the Chief Edwin Clark-led PANDEF general meeting, were, however, unable to stop the group from holding its gathering.

Members of PANDEF were said to have defied the heavy security siege around the hotel and still went ahead to hold its 4th general assembly.

PANDEF in a communiqué signed by Clark at the end of its meeting bemoaned the action of the Federal Government and described the forceful attempt to stop the gathering of leaders of the Niger Delta as “insensitive” and disturbing.

The communiqué read, “This is more disturbing when it is known that meetings of this nature by leaders of other geo-political zones such as AREWA Consultative forum, Afenifere, Ohaneze Ndigbo and the likes have never in the history of the country been subjected to such humiliation and show of high-handedness.

“The General Assembly considers the action of the Federal Government insensitive. When it is considered that at the height of resumed militancy in the Niger Delta in 2016, and its negative impact on the national economy which saw the fall in oil production to an unprecedented low of 800,000bopd.

“It was the timely intervention of PANDEF that ensured the return to peace and stability. This brought about a surge in production of oil to the present level of 2.35million bpd and free flow of gas to our power plants and industries. This at present price brings in over USD115 million (about 36 billion Naira) daily.”

The group therefore called on President Muhammadu Buhari-led federal government to urgently explain what gave room to the show of hostility meted out to the elders and leaders of the region.

Meanwhile, the Rivers State Police Command explaining why police laid siege at the venue of the meeting said that the action was to forestall breakdown of law and order.

READ ALSO: More trouble for Clark-led PANDEF as police disrupts meeting, 1 day after rejection by RNDA

Speaking through Public Relations Officer of the Command, DSP Nnamdi Omoni claimed that the police learnt of a possible clash between members of PANDEF. He added that there was an order that delegates should not be allowed to access the venue to avoid clash among members of PANDEF.

Police action came a day after Reformed Niger Delta Avengers (RNDA) and other militant groups restated their rejection of PANDEF and warned the Federal Government to either stop negotiation with the Clark-led group or risk fresh and coordinated attacks on oil installations in the region.

 

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