PANDEF Says It Has Not Endorsed Any Presidential Candidate for 2027

The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has reaffirmed its non-partisan position ahead of the 2027 general election, stating that it has not endorsed any presidential candidate or aligned itself with any political party.

The organisation’s National Chairman, Ambassador Godknows Igali, made the clarification 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 said PANDEF was neither a political party nor a campaign organisation for any candidate, urging residents of the region to assess candidates based on their programmes, commitments and capacity to advance the interests of the Niger Delta.

He called on voters to exercise their civic responsibilities peacefully and make independent decisions at all levels of the election, guided by the development priorities of their communities and the country.

The chairman also urged indigenes of the Niger Delta holding public offices, particularly at the federal level, to demonstrate greater commitment to PANDEF’s activities and its efforts to unite the region and promote its interests.

Former Akwa Ibom State Governor and Chairman of PANDEF’s Board of Trustees, Victor Attah, also said the organisation had not endorsed any presidential candidate.

Attah maintained that the forum remained neutral and encouraged voters to choose leaders they believed could best serve the Niger Delta and Nigeria.

The clarification comes as political parties and candidates intensify preparations for the 2027 general election, with the South-South remaining a significant region in national politics because of its oil and gas resources and contribution to government revenue.

Beyond the election, PANDEF renewed its demand for an increase in the derivation allocation to oil-producing states from the current minimum of 13 per cent to 50 per cent.

Igali argued that a higher allocation would help address environmental pollution, infrastructure deficits and other development challenges affecting oil-producing communities.

The forum also called for the abolition of the onshore-offshore dichotomy in revenue allocation, maintaining that communities whose resources contribute to national revenue should receive a fairer share of the proceeds.

PANDEF brings together political leaders, traditional rulers and other stakeholders from Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo and Rivers states to promote cooperation and advance the interests of the Niger Delta.