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PANDEF Launches Reconciliation Committee to Address Wike-Fubara Dispute
PANDEF Launches Reconciliation Committee to Address Wike-Fubara Dispute
By Tobouke Jemine
The Pan-Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), under the leadership of South-South elder Chief Edwin Clark, has established a high-level Peace and Reconciliation Committee to address ongoing tensions between Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, and Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara. This move was confirmed in a communiqué released after PANDEF’s Special General Assembly in Port Harcourt, where leaders emphasized the committee’s role in mitigating all regional conflicts.
The communiqué, signed by PANDEF dignitaries including King Alfred Diette-Spiff, former Akwa Ibom Governor Obong Victor Attah, and National Chairman Dr. Godknows Igali, noted that the committee, chaired by Attah, comprises respected figures like Senator Emmanuel Ibok-Essien, Senator Rowland Owie, and former Bayelsa Deputy Governor Rear Admiral G. John-Jonah. While not directly cited in the communiqué, PANDEF representatives clarified that Wike and Fubara’s rift would be addressed within the committee’s mandate.
The Wike-Fubara feud has persisted since Fubara assumed office in 2023, largely centered on power dynamics within Rivers State. Efforts by President Bola Tinubu and other stakeholders to resolve the issue have yet to yield lasting peace.
PANDEF also voiced strong disapproval of President Tinubu’s recent dissolution of the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, urging the government to reconsider, especially in light of national oil production goals. PANDEF stated that the ministry was established to address unique challenges facing the Niger Delta, including environmental degradation and the region’s economic significance.
In other recommendations, PANDEF called for free education across primary, secondary, and tertiary levels in the Niger Delta, aiming for at least one tertiary institution per LGA and a 25% budget allocation for education in line with UNESCO guidelines.
Additionally, PANDEF urged the federal government to complete the East-West Highway, construct the Calabar-Lagos railway, and implement a maritime transit system for riverine communities. The forum also called for greater investment in green energy and local refineries, aligning with global climate goals.
The assembly, held at the Hotel Presidential in Port Harcourt, was hosted by Governor Fubara and attended by South-South leaders, traditional rulers, former military officials, and stakeholders from various sectors. Under the theme “Fostering Peace and Unity for Sustainable Development in the Niger Delta,” attendees shared messages of goodwill, highlighting the importance of regional cooperation for sustainable development.
By: Divine Perezide
The Ijaw Publishers’ Forum (IPF) has commended the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) for speaking against the corrupt activities of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) under the Managing Director, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku.
The media practitioners while intensifying the call for a thorough investigation into the leadership of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to borrow a leaf from the ICPC to expose suspected corrupt activities such as contract scams, unauthorized spending, ghost project-Hope, unrealistic youth intensive programs, failure to pay/third-party payment of contractors, execution of substandard contracts, abandoned contracts and other failed projects of the commission to recover looted funds.
The call was made in a statement signed by the Spokesperson of the Forum, Comrade Ezekiel Kagbala, copies of which were made available to newsmen in Warri Delta State on Monday.
While reacting to the warning by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences to NDDC’s staff against engaging in corrupt practices, the Forum said EFCC should focus on its mandate of being a watchdog to all institutions and organizations in the country, rather than being a friend with a cat.
Stating further, the Publishers’ said the recent statement of the EFCC applauding Dr Ogbuku’s led administration was unhealthy and suspicious, noting that Niger Delta region may lose confidence in EFCC ability and capacity to fight crime in the country if this political praise-singing of trade by barter continues.
The forum cautioned EFCC to refrain from dining with people who were responsible for the underdevelopment of the Niger Delta region, adding that EFCC should not make itself a depart of the NDDC, but should stand with impoverished people of Niger Delta to checkmate the commission’s corrupt activities.
“We express our deep concerns over the use of “reckless and fraudulent schemes” employed by the current NDDC leadership to siphon resources intended for the infrastructural development of the Niger Delta region.
The statement also urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to expose corruption in NDDC just as ICPC during their quarterly anti-corruption sensitization workshop for NDDC staff warned that “anybody caught in corrupt act would face the full wrath of the law”.
“The partnership between the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and anti-graft agencies, particularly the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), raises serious questions about the integrity of efforts to combat corruption within the agency.
“The EFCC must prioritize its mandate, to prevent and prosecute corrupt Individuals, rather than engaging in partnerships that may inadvertently shield corrupt officials from scrutiny.
“The EFCC should re-evaluate its approach, and show commitment to its core mission of safeguarding public funds, ensuring that it does not become complicit in the very corruption it was established to combat -the Forum emphasised.
By: Divine Perezide
The Ijaw Publishers Forum (IPF) has called on the Federal Government to investigate the activities of Dr. Ogbuku and call the NDDC Management to order, given the series of activities signalling gross incompetence and wastage of the people’s resources on frivolous projects and programmes to the abandonment of key infrastructural projects. A case the body seriously points to is the abandonment of Udo-Ofinama road project.
The Udo–Ofunama Road in Egbema Kingdom, Edo State, stands today as one of the most glaring examples of uncompleted projects under the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC). Conceived as a vital link road to connect communities, boost trade, and ease transportation, the project has suffered repeated delays and neglect despite its importance.
For years, promises have been made, contracts have been awarded, and funds have reportedly been allocated. Yet, the road remains undone—leaving the people of Udo, Ofunama, and neighboring communities stranded in poor access and underdevelopment.
This situation is not isolated. Across the Niger Delta, the NDDC is saddled with a history of abandoned and delayed projects. Reports show:
Over 18,000 projects have been initiated since 2002.
Of these, more than 7,000 have been completed, but thousands remain uncompleted or abandoned. The 7,000 completed are mostly inconsequential and ghost projects like grass cutting, water hycent removal, etcetera.
The Udo–Ofunama Road is one of such projects where neglect has deepened frustration among host communities.
The delay has now triggered action. The youth of Egbema Kingdom have declared a peaceful protest on August 25, 2025, to demand answers and accountability from the NDDC and government authorities. Their message is simple: enough of the promises, the road must be completed.
The Udo–Ofunama Road is more than just an infrastructure project—it represents hope, connectivity, and development for a people long denied the dividends of the resources taken from their land. Every delay only widens the gap of distrust between the Commission and the very people it was created to serve.
The question remains: why the delay, and when will the people of Egbema Kingdom finally see the completion of the Udo–Ofunama Road?
#nddc25 NDDC #Tinubu #edostate
Photo credit: Delta Event Tv
By: Divine Perezide
The Imo State Government has introduced a new education policy prohibiting graduation ceremonies for Kindergarten, Nursery, and JSS3 students, alongside a ban on the yearly replacement of textbooks.
According to a memo dated August 15, 2025, and signed by the Commissioner for Education, Prof. Bernard Ikegwuoha, only Primary 6 and Senior Secondary School 3 (SSS3) learners will now be allowed to hold graduation events-reflecting the structure of Nigeria’s 6-3-3-4 education model.
“The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education is committed to providing quality and functional education to all students. Henceforth, graduation ceremonies and parties for Kindergarten, Nursery, and JSS3 students are hereby abolished,” the memo stated.
In a further move to ease the financial burden on parents and streamline academic consistency, the policy also mandates that approved textbooks must now be used for at least four years. This change is expected to allow siblings to reuse educational materials and prevent yearly replacement costs.
Violations-including frequent textbook changes or deviation from the approved list-are strongly discourage, The Guardian Nigeria reported in a related news.
Prof. Ikegwuoha emphasized in the directive that these reforms aim to reduce exploitative practices, foster learning continuity, and ensure focus remains on academic achievement rather than celebratory