Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), on Tuesday, called on voters in the South-South geopolitical zone to vote according to their conscience in the 2027 general elections, urging them to choose candidates whose programmes and track records reflect the aspirations of the region.

The forum also challenged the Federal Government and political party candidates to pay greater attention to the Niger Delta, demanding an increase in the derivation allocation to oil-producing states from the current minimum of 13 per cent to the original 50 per cent and the abolition of the onshore/offshore dichotomy in revenue allocation.

PANDEF made the demands in a communique read by its National Chairman, Ambassador Godknows Igali, after a meeting to mark the organisation’s 10th anniversary in Abuja on Tuesday.

The meeting was attended by the Chairman of its Board of Trustees, former Akwa Ibom State Governor, Obong Victor Attah, a former Attorney-General of the Federation, Kanu Agabu, and other leaders from the six South-South states.

The organisation stated, “PANDEF calls on the people of the South-South to exercise their civic responsibilities peacefully and vote according to their conscience, choosing candidates at all levels whose programmes, commitments, and demonstrated capacity align with the aspirations of the region.”

The forum urged presidential candidates to demonstrate their commitment to environmental justice by presenting practical, measurable and time-bound plans for cleaning up and restoring communities affected by oil and gas exploration.

PANDEF also commended President Bola Tinubu for retaining the original alignment of the 750-kilometre Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway as a distinct strategic infrastructure project, insisting that its completion must not be compromised.

“The accelerated, successful completion of the highway is non-negotiable,” the forum declared, adding that the project would improve connectivity, stimulate trade and investment, and unlock the economic potential of coastal communities.

It called for the rehabilitation of other critical roads, improved rail connections and sustainable financing for the modernisation of the Warri, Port Harcourt and Calabar ports. It also welcomed the proposed Ibom Deep Sea Port in Akwa Ibom, Bonny Deep Sea Port in Rivers and Agge Deep Sea Port in Bayelsa states.

On revenue allocation, PANDEF argued that the minimum 13 per cent derivation allocation had remained unchanged for more than two decades despite the environmental damage and economic burdens borne by oil-producing communities, calling on the federal government, the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) and the National Assembly to increase derivation to a minimum of 50 per cent and abolish the onshore/offshore dichotomy, arguing that offshore petroleum operations also affect coastal communities, fishing grounds and livelihoods.

The communique stated further, “The meeting further calls on the Federal Government, the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), and the National Assembly to urgently address the longstanding and contentious issue of the onshore/offshore dichotomy in revenue allocation.”

The forum urged the federal and state governments to accelerate investment in gas infrastructure, power generation, mini-LNG facilities, LPG and CNG hubs, petrochemicals and other gas-based industries. It noted that the Niger Delta holds more than 209 trillion standard cubic feet of natural gas reserves, which could support industrialisation, electricity generation and employment.

PANDEF also advocated renewed support for modular refineries and agricultural value chains, including palm oil, rice and cassava, to diversify the regional economy and reduce dependence on oil and gas revenues.

On environmental remediation, the forum demanded sustained and transparent funding for the Ogoni clean-up programme and urged the Federal Government to extend remediation to other polluted communities. It specifically identified Nembe Creek in Bayelsa, Odidi in Delta and Kula in Rivers states as requiring urgent attention.

Reviewing its 10-year record, PANDEF cited the establishment of the South-South Development Commission, the commencement of activities at the Nigerian Maritime University, Okerenkoko, Delta State, and the upgrading of the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron, Akwa Ibom State, among its achievements. It also commended its peace-building efforts in Rivers State and continuing engagement over the oil-well dispute between Akwa Ibom and Cross River states.

The forum reaffirmed its commitment to constructive engagement with the Federal Government, the six state governments, traditional institutions and the private sector, urging public office holders from the region, particularly those at the federal level, to support its efforts to advance the collective interests of the South-South.

PANDEF, formed a decade ago to unite the region’s socio-political and ethnic organisations, maintained that the development of the Niger Delta was inseparable from Nigeria’s progress and called on the authorities to translate policy commitments and announced projects into tangible results. (Nigerian Tribune)