The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for ensuring the release of Rivers State’s statutory allocation, a move the group noted, underscores the President’s commitment to fairness and national unity.
Speaking to journalists at Uyo Airport on Saturday, PANDEF’s new National Chairman, Ambassador Godknows Igali, expressed delight over the decision, describing it as “a statesmanly action that brings relief not only to the people of Rivers State but to all Nigerians”.
The PUNCH reported that the Federal High Court in Abuja presided over by Justice Joyce Abdulmalik had in October barred the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) from disbursing further monthly allocations to the Rivers State Government, citing alleged constitutional violations by Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
While the state government has since appealed the judgment, the Federal Government told Saturday PUNCH that Rivers State would continue to receive its allocations despite the court verdict.
In a statement on Sunday by PANDEF spokesperson, Obiuwevbi Ominimini, Igali emphasised that the Federal Government’s decision would prevent the innocent citizens of Rivers State from bearing the brunt of political disagreements among their leaders.
“He stated further that this decision will ensure that the innocent citizens of Rivers State will not suffer vicariously from the family feud between some of the political leaders of the state.
He further expressed the hope that this decision will also aid the efforts by the Obong Victor Attah-led High-Level Peace and Reconciliation Committee recently constituted by PANDEF”.
The PANDEF leader also expressed optimism that the President’s action would bolster ongoing reconciliation efforts led by the High-Level Peace and Reconciliation Committee chaired by Obong Victor Attah.
He called on all political actors, youth groups, and women’s organisations in Rivers State to take a cue from the Federal Government by de-escalating tension and embracing dialogue.
The forum reiterated its call for unity among stakeholders in Rivers State, urging them to support the peace initiatives spearheaded by regional elders.
