Titus Akhigbe, Benin-City
The Edo State chapter of Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) on Wednesday refuted the claim of endorsing the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Alhaji Abubakar Atiku as their sole candidate for the forthcoming general elections.
This was contained in a press release signed by its state chairman, Col. (rtd) Paul Ogbebor and its national organising secretary, Engr. Efosa Aguebor and made available to newsmen in Benin City.
Ogbebor said those who made the endorsement did it without the knowledge of the state’s leadership and that such decision negated the purpose in which the body was inaugurated.
According to him “
Edo State branch of PANDEF unequivocally condemned and dissociate self from the self-serving endorsement of the PDP and its presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar for the February 23 presidential elections by some of leaders.
“Their action was not in tandem with the aims and aspirations of PANDEF as stated in Article 1 of the organization which ban the organization from being in partisan politics and or belonging to any religious body.
“Nigerian must be aware that there has been any National Executive Meeting or State General Meeting where such a decision was taken.
“For the information of all Nigerians and well wishers of PANDEF, this organization was inaugurated on 1of November, 2016 by the presidency in Abuja for the purpose of liaising with the oil producing areas, preventing the destruction of oil facilities and increasing the requisite developments of the areas”, he said.
Col. Ogbebor rtd said the inauguration of the body by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has led to the increment in the oil production and exportation in the country just as it has also led to relative peace in the Niger Delta region.
“To facilitate the success and achievement of the organization the: Vice President Prof. Yemi Osinbajo officially visited South-South and conferred with all stakeholders and the presidential cum PANDEF nominees formed a ministerial committee for synergy and implementation of developmental projects.
“One of the results is the successful achievement of an increase in oil production and export from 1 million to the current 2 million barrel of crude oil per day and the peace currently pervading the Niger Delta region”, he said.
