The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has declared that it has not endorsed any presidential candidate for the 2027 general elections, urging voters in the South-South to choose leaders based on their ability to advance the interests of the Niger Delta.
The forum reaffirmed its non-partisan position, stressing that it was neither aligned with any political party nor supporting any presidential candidate.
PANDEF National Chairman, Ambassador Godknows Igali, stated this on Tuesday while addressing journalists after a meeting attended by former governors, former ministers, traditional rulers and other stakeholders from the six South-South states.
Igali urged residents of the region to scrutinise candidates and vote according to their conscience, emphasising that their choices should reflect the development priorities of the Niger Delta and the country.
“PANDEF is non-partisan and not supporting any candidate. It is not a political party or support group.
“We, therefore, call on the people of the South-South to exercise their civic responsibilities peacefully and vote according to their conscience, choosing candidates at all levels whose programmes, commitments and demonstrated capacity align with the aspirations of the Niger Delta,” he said.
The PANDEF chairman repeated his call on voters to examine candidates’ records and proposals before making their choices.
“We call on our people to ‘shine your eyes’ and vote according to their conscience. They should look at candidates who have the capacity to help us as a region and move this country forward,” he added.
Igali also urged Niger Delta indigenes holding public office, particularly at the Federal Government level, to demonstrate greater commitment to the forum’s activities.
“PANDEF calls on sons and daughters of the Niger Delta who are holding public office, especially at the level of the Federal Government, to show more commitment and interest in the activities of the organisation that are focused on uniting our people and advancing the cause of the Niger Delta,” he said.
Also speaking, former Akwa Ibom State Governor and Chairman of PANDEF’s Board of Trustees, Victor Attah, said the organisation had not endorsed any candidate for the presidential election.
“We are not aligning ourselves with any candidate. PANDEF has remained entirely neutral and non-partisan.
“As far as we are concerned, we have stated very clearly that the people of the South-South should shine their eyes and vote for whomever they believe would do their best for the Niger Delta region and the country,” Attah said.
The declaration comes as political parties and presidential candidates intensify preparations for the 2027 general elections.
Beyond the elections, PANDEF renewed its demand for a substantial increase in the derivation allocation to oil-producing states, calling on the Federal Government to raise the current minimum rate of 13 per cent to 50 per cent.
Igali said the proposed increase would help address environmental pollution, infrastructure deficits and other development challenges confronting oil-producing communities.
He also called for the abolition of the onshore-offshore dichotomy in revenue allocation, arguing that oil-producing communities deserved a fairer share of the resources extracted from their environment.
PANDEF brings together political leaders, traditional rulers and other stakeholders from Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo and Rivers states to promote the interests and development of the Niger Delta.
