The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has strongly condemned President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, describing it as a stab in the back to the Niger Delta people. In a communiqué issued at the end of an emergency meeting held in Abuja on Wednesday, March 19, 2025, the Board of Trustees and expanded National Executive Committee of PANDEF expressed shock and disappointment over the President’s action.

In a statement, the Co-Chairman of the Board of Trustees, HRM Alfred Diete-Spiff, and His Excellency, Obong (Arc.) Victor Attah, noted that the President’s action occurred barely one week after receiving a high-level South-South delegation of top traditional rulers, former governors, former service chiefs, former ministers, and former senators. “The said actions taken by the President have sadly occurred barely one week after he received a high-level South-South delegation… and encouraged them to continue with the reconciliation activities and report progress back to him,” the statement read.

PANDEF expressed frustration over the non-cooperative attitude of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Wike, and the House of Assembly, which rebuffed all efforts by the Governor to present the 2025 budget in line with the Supreme Court judgment and Presidential directives. The group questioned why the President declared a state of emergency, suspending the Governor, Deputy Governor, and House of Assembly, when the Court of Appeal had reserved its ruling on the fate of the 27 members of the House of Assembly.

The group called on the National Assembly to reject the President’s action, describing it as an onslaught on democratic governance. “PANDEF as a respectable body of very senior and eminent citizens of this country representing the interest of the people of the South-South will continue to sue for peace and work with all sides and the Federal Government towards its attainment in Rivers State and the entire South-South zone,” the statement read. Diete-Spiff, Attah, Amb. (Dr.) Godknows B. Igali, and Chief (Sir) Obiuwevbi Ominimini signed the communiqué.