From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has debunked claims by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, that the organisation took President Bola Tinubu to court over his position on the Rivers State crisis.
Wike had, in a recent media chat, criticised PANDEF over its stance on the on-going political crisis in Rivers State. He accused its leaders of being financially driven and politically motivated.
But addressing a press conference on Friday, the Co-Chairman of PANDEF’s Board of Trustees and Chairman of its Peace and Reconciliation Committee, former Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Victor Attah, and its President, Godknows Igali, said the Forum had placed embargo on speaking on the issue until solution to the crisis was found.
Igali said: “There was no time that PANDEF took Mr President to court, maybe it’s a slip of the tongue. It never happened. This is the first time that PANDEF as an organisation is making a public statement on this situation in the Rivers State since the crisis started. And even when the peace committee started working, we placed an embargo that they must not speak to anybody until we arrive at the threshold.
“Yes, there were personal views that were expressed by some members of PANDEF. But there was no time that PANDEF as an organisation issued a press statement. So it is unthinkable to say that PANDEF went to court at all.”
PANDEF expressed concern over Wike’s refusal to engage with its Peace and Reconciliation Committee, despite President Bola Tinubu’s call for dialogue to stabilise Rivers State. The former Akwa Ibom governor lamented Wike’s reluctance to meet with the committee, thereby hindering efforts to reduce tension in the state.