PANDEF demands 50% derivation, rejects 2027 presidential endorsement

The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has called on the Federal Government to increase the derivation allocation to oil-producing states from 13 per cent to 50 per cent, citing environmental damage and infrastructure deficits in the region.

The forum also declared that it had not endorsed any presidential candidate for the 2027 general election, urging voters in the South-South to support candidates with the capacity to advance the interests of the Niger Delta.

PANDEF National Chairman, Godknows Igali, made the position known on Tuesday while addressing journalists after a meeting attended by former governors, former ministers, traditional rulers and other stakeholders from the six South-South states.

Igali said the organisation remained non-partisan and was not aligned with any political party or presidential candidate.

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“PANDEF is non-partisan and not supporting any candidate. It is not a political party or support group,” he said.

He urged voters to scrutinise candidates and their programmes before making their choices, stressing that their decisions should reflect the development needs of the Niger Delta and the country.

“We call on our people to ‘shine your eyes’ and vote according to their conscience. They should look at candidates who have the capacity to help us as a region and move this country forward,” Igali said.

Also speaking, former Akwa Ibom State Governor and Chairman of PANDEF’s Board of Trustees, Victor Attah, reiterated that the forum had not endorsed any candidate for the presidential election.

“PANDEF has remained entirely neutral and non-partisan,” Attah said, urging voters to support whoever they believe would work in the best interests of the Niger Delta and Nigeria.

The forum also called on Niger Delta indigenes holding public office, particularly at the federal level, to demonstrate greater commitment to its activities.

Igali said their involvement was important to strengthening unity among the region’s people and advancing its collective interests.

On revenue allocation, PANDEF demanded the abolition of the onshore-offshore dichotomy, arguing that oil-producing communities should receive a fairer share of the resources extracted from their environment.

The forum said increasing the derivation allocation would help address pollution, inadequate infrastructure and other development challenges facing oil-producing communities.

PANDEF brings together political leaders, traditional rulers and other stakeholders from Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo and Rivers states to promote the interests of the Niger Delta.

Its position comes as political parties and presidential aspirants intensify preparations for the 2027 general election.