PANDEF kicks against disruption of elders meeting by security agents
Amaka Agbu, Port Harcourt
Leaders of the Niger Delta operating under the aegis of Pan Niger Delta Elders Forum, PANDEF, have described as unbelievable and unacceptable the disruption of their meeting in Port Harcourt on Thursday by security operatives in Rivers State.
In an 11-point communiqué signed by its national Leader, Chief Edwin Clark, and read by its coordinating secretary, Alfred Molade, at the end of its 4th general meeting held at the Hotel Presidential, PANDEF condemned the attitude of the Federal Government towards elders of the Niger Delta region.
The body stated in the communiqué that it was disrespectful of government to allow security agents to block the meeting slated to be attended by highly respected elders of the Niger Delta.
The communiqué read in part: “This is more disturbing when it is known that meetings of this nature by leaders of other geopolitical zones such as Arewa Consultative Forum, Afenifere, Ohaneze Ndi Igbo, and the likes have never in the history of this country been subjected to such humiliation and show of high-handedness.”
The 11-point communiqué issued by PANDEF General Assembly also announced the constitution of a 12-man committee of zoning of offices and 6-man electoral committee for elections into positions within PANDEF in the forthcoming election.
Mr. Alfred Molade, the coordinating Secretary of PANDEF, on the sideline, described the disruption of the meeting as insensitive and an intervention after the resumption of hostility by militants in the Niger Delta region which has led to Nigeria’s increased oil output.
He said: “The general Assembly considers the attempt by the agencies of the Federal government to forcefully stop such a high level gathering of leaders of the Niger Delta region as totally unacceptable and a very disturbing precedence in our democratic evolution and flouting of our constitutional rights of peaceful assembly and free movement.
Meanwhile the national leader of PANDEF, Chief Edwin Clark, has said that leaders of the Niger Delta would not be intimidated by threats from the federal government to stop it from demanding justice from the people of the region.
“No government can stop us peacefully demanding the attention needed by our region. I also apologise to all of you that were not able to go to the hotel, Atlantic Hall of Presidential Hotel for the meeting. Even to enter the hotel was impossible because they sealed everywhere. That was what happened. We said we can go on with the meeting on your behalf,” the elder statesman said.
Another member of PANDEF, Don Doyega, dismissed insinuations in certain quarters that ex-militants did not have trust in PANDEF. “As far as I am concerned, those persons do not exist. They are sponsored groups. I have been a key actor in the struggle of the Niger Delta even from MEND up to Niger Delta Liberation Force and all of them. PANDEF is highly respected and supported.
Recall that security operatives on Thursday disrupted the meeting of the general assembly of PANDEF scheduled to hold at Presidential Hotel, by armed security men. The meeting was to review the constitution of the Forum as well as set up an election planning committee.
