Again, PANDEF Demands reinstatement of Fubara, Deputy and HoA members

The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has called on President Bola Tinubu to reinstate Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and the State Assembly, expressing concerns over the suspension of the state’s democratic structures.

National Chairman of PANDEF, Ambassador Dr. Godknows Boladei Igali, made the appeal while commending President Tinubu for signing the South-South Development Commission Bill into law on March 25, 2025.

Igali noted that the decision to establish the commission has strengthened confidence in the Federal Government’s commitment to promoting regional development and addressing the unique socio-economic and environmental challenges facing the Niger Delta.

“This singular action has boosted the confidence of our people in the commitment of the Federal Government to promote even regional development across the country and, in particular, to address the peculiar social, environmental, and developmental challenges facing our region,” he said.

He urged President Tinubu to appoint competent and experienced individuals to the newly established commission to ensure its effectiveness.

“PANDEF is hopeful that in setting up this new Commission, Mr. President will carefully select competent and tested hands with cognate skills and experience to ensure that this body plays its complementary role to the efforts of our Governors in delivering sustainable development to the region, which continues to contribute immensely to the sustenance of the Nigerian national economy for decades,” Igali stated.

He also emphasized the need for urgent intervention in addressing key concerns in the Niger Delta, particularly environmental remediation due to oil and gas activities and the severe infrastructural deficit in the region.

Additionally, PANDEF called on Tinubu to respond to nationwide appeals for the reinstatement of Rivers State’s democratic leadership, stressing the importance of restoring governance in the state.

“PANDEF is hopeful that based on the sustained nationwide appeals and genuine concerns from virtually every corner of the country over the suspension of the Rivers State Governor, His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, the Deputy Governor, and the State Assembly, Mr. President would graciously accord urgent attention to restoring the state’s normal democratic governance by immediately recalling them,” Igali said.

While commending the National Assembly for swiftly finalizing the South-South Development Commission Bill, PANDEF urged the Federal Government to prioritize both the political stability of Rivers State and the broader development agenda for the South-South region.