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PANDEF Leadership: Militant Groups Disagree Over Clark
Three militant groups, the Niger Delta Revolutionary Crusaders (NDRC), the Reformed Niger Delta Avengers (RNDA) and the Pan Niger Delta People’s Congress (PNDPC) have disagreed over the leadership of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF).
Specifically, NDRC rejected calls by RNDA and PNDPC for the former Federal Commissioner for Information and Convener of PANDEF, Chief Edwin Clark, to step aside as leader of the oil-rich region.
Rejecting the demand in a statement by the spokesperson, W O I Izon-Ebi, the NDRC maintained that PANDEF and Clark remained the mouthpiece of the region, and advised the Federal Government to “keep to its own side of the bargain by giving specific timeline on the implementation of the various agreements reached with the region.”
NDRC also called on the Niger Delta Avengers to break its silence on the feud between PANDEF and PNDPC, “because its prolonged silence is seen as tacit support for the blacklegs and traitors in the region.”
Its words: “These so called traitors of the Niger Delta are calling for Pa. E.K. Clark to step aside because of his age. We want them to understand that the contributions of Pa. E.K. Clark towards the development of the Ijaw nation and the Niger Delta as a whole predate the six- year reign of Dr. Goodluck Jonathan and the formation of PANDEF.
“Their claim that Pa. E.K. Clark was Goodluck’s godfather is hogwash, it has no basis and it is not in tandem with the demand for resource control, justice and equity that the Niger Delta people are clamouring for. Rather, it is a distraction employed to thwart the collective aspiration of the Niger Delta region and its people.
“The fatherly and elderly statesman role of Pa. E.K. Clark cannot and would not be sacrificed on the pecuniary altar of the blacklegs.
“The question is: What does Pa E.K. Clark want at his age? It is time Niger Deltans put on their thinking caps and reason.
“If Pa E.K. Clark can be accepted by other stakeholders of the Niger Delta, irrespective of tribe, cutting across the six Niger Delta states, including the state governors and government of the Niger Delta states, distinguished personalities like Obong Victor Attah, A.K. Horsfall, Alabo Graham Douglas, King Alfred Diete-Spiff, Ambassador Godknows Igali, Timi Alaibe, among others, then, the antics of the Coordinator of PNDPC, Chief Mike Loyibo should be called to question,” the group said.
“We wonder if Loyibo has the pedigree and capacity to lead these prominent and distinguished personalities of the Niger Delta,” it added.
The group said: “The Niger Delta Revolutionary Crusaders, the 21st century youths of the Niger Delta and affiliate agitators have observed with dismay that after the successful meeting between PANDEF and the Federal Government on the 3rd of August, 2017, that there has been covert and overt measures to stall the progress of the talks, putting the ceasefire and détente declared by the NDRC and its affiliate organizations into jeopardy.
“The Federal Government and PANDEF agreed and adopted PANDEF’s 16-point agenda and also presented a 20-point agenda and other palliatives to cushion the effects of oil exploration, unemployment, poor infrastructures and other issues plaguing the Niger Delta region and its people under the Pa E.K. Clark -led PANDEF.
“The Federal Government at the behest of Prof. Yemi Osibanjo equally told us that they have adopted PANDEF’s 16-point agenda for the Niger Delta.
“Therefore, the traitors of PNDPC and quest of Chief Mike Loyibo to hijack the mandate of PANDEF would surely end in futility. The divide and rule technique, that has been used on the Niger Delta and its people for ages would not work this time around,” it also said.
The group said, “We want to use this medium to warn the Federal Government that the existing peace and détente was predicated on the agreement between it and us. We demand that the Federal Government keeps to its own side of the bargain by giving us a specific timeline of the implementation of the various agreements.
“Also we want to tell the government and in particular the Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta Affairs, Bri-Gen Paul Boroh (rtd), that the amnesty and pipeline surveillance contracts cannot stop the bombing of pipelines, but only justice, equity and the agreement reached with PANDEF on the 3rd of August, 2017 can guarantee the safety of the pipelines and other oil infrastructures,” the group added.
NDRC accentuated: “The Niger Delta youth are tired of watching over pipelines, while the proceeds of the oil are used to develop other regions. We equivocally reject the pipeline surveillance and amnesty being proposed by Paul Boroh through the back door.
“We are urging all Niger Deltans to come out en mass to demand for peaceful coexistence, a stop to nepotism in appointments, justice, equity and demand for the immediate implementation of the agreement reached with PANDEF on the 3rd of August, 2017.
“We equally use this opportunity to urge NDA to make a statement because their prolonged silence is seen as tacit support for the blacklegs and traitors in the region.
“Before the ceasefire, oil production was at its lowest of 800barrels per day, but for the quick intervention of PANDEF, it has risen to 2.2million barrels per day and this has helped to boost the revenue of the Federal Government toward getting us out of recession,” the group stated.
It declared: “If all these sacrifices and understanding of all agitators is being taken for cowardice, God forbid, the time would come for zero barrel of oil production until all agreements are rectified, starting from the 1958 Willinks Commission Report on the minority till date.”
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The Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has directed his lawyers to withdraw all ongoing defamation lawsuits against several individuals, saying he was moved by counsel during a New Year Mass.
Speaking at the Sacred Heart Parish in Uyo, yesterday, Akpabio said he had filed nearly nine lawsuits against individuals he accused of defaming him.
He said, “I had almost nine cases in court against some individuals who defamed me, who lied against me, who slandered my name.
“But I listened to the priest and suddenly realised he was talking to me, so I hereby direct my solicitor to withdraw all lawsuits against them.”
In 2025, Akpabio had filed several high-profile defamation lawsuits, including one against colleague Senator Natasha Akpoti?Uduaghan.
In late 2025, Akpabio filed a N200 billion defamation lawsuit against her over allegations of sexual harassment, which he denied and urged her to substantiate in court.
Earlier in the year, Akpabio’s wife also filed defamation suits against Akpoti?Uduaghan over claims she said had harmed her family’s reputation.
Relations between the two lawmakers soured after Akpoti?Uduaghan accused Akpabio of influencing her suspension from the Senate in March 2025, following her public allegations of misconduct.
The Senator had previously challenged actions taken against her in court, including a N100 billion defamation suit she filed against Akpabio and other defendants over alleged remarks that she said damaged her reputation.
With yesterday’s announcement, Akpabio has formally ended all pending legal disputes arising from defamation claims, signalling closure to the publicised litigations as the year begins.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has declared that the best form of gratitude Rivers people owe President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for protecting the interest of the State is to galvanize massive support for the President in 2027.
Fubara disclosed this last Monday during the commissioning of Permanent Secretaries Quarters built by his administration at Elimgbu in Obio Akpor Local Government Area of the State.
He said that the State has what it takes to deliver the President during the 2027 general elections.
“We’ve taken a decision,our decision is for the good of Rivers State, our decision is to say thank you for the protection we have from Mr President, our decision is to prove that we have what it takes to deliver Mr President.”
Fubara expressed delight over the completion of the project, stating that the initiative was to provide accommodation, a basic need of life for public servants in the state to improve their productivity.
He explained that lack of effective social welfare was at the root of some incriminating actions that undermine the purpose of governance, noting that the commissioning of the newly built Permanent Secretaries Quarters marks a significant milestone in civil service welfare and institutional development.
“Insecurity begins when individuals are uncertain of what the next hour holds. This situation is especially challenging for family men and women, affecting confidence and decision-making,” he observed.
Fubara emphasized the need for proper maintenance of the facility and urged the beneficiaries to protect the project like a personal property, while directing the State Head of Service to appoint a facility manager to ensure long-term maintenance.
In her remarks, the Special Guest of Honour and Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack, who unveiled the project, expressed appreciation to the governor and Rivers State for inviting her to commission the project.
She commended Fubara for prioritizing the welfare of Permanent Secretaries who are senior public servants and accounting officers, noting that the project reflects purposeful and visionary leadership, and urged other states to borrow a cue from the Rivers State Governor.
Walson-Jack described the initiative as a strategic investment in staff welfare and institutional continuity which she noted is in line with Renewed Hope Initiative on provision of mass housing and social stability.
“The commissioning of these houses reflect a deliberate commitment to the dignity, welfare, and productivity of senior public servants responsible for policy coordination and service delivery,” she said.
In his goodwill message, the National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ajibode Bashiru, who led a high powered delegation on a visit to the governor, congratulated Rivers people for aligning with the Pan Nigerian political party, assuring that the interest of Rivers State will be duly protected in the APC.
He described President Bola Tinubu as a detribalised Nigerian who anchors his leadership on equity, fairness and justice, adding that the APC will provide a level playing ground for all.
The APC chief scribe also commended Fubara for providing good accommodation for public servants, stating that it will address issues of sabotage, compromise and disloyalty on the part of public servants.
Giving the project description, Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Works, Dr. Austin Ezekiel-Hart, said the estate comprises 29 units, including nine standalone duplexes and 20 terrace buildings.
Facilities feature a water treatment plant, synchronized power generators, CCTV and alarm systems, a gym, recreational areas, and green spaces—designed to enhance comfort, performance, and productivity.
Earlier, the Head of the Rivers State Civil Service, Dr Mrs Inyingi Brown, had thanked the governor for his visionary initiative and unwavering commitment to the welfare of Rivers State Civil Servants, and restated the commitment of the State civil servants to the success of Fubara’s administration.
By: Taneh Beemene
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