June 12: PANDEF Scores Buhari’s Address Low, Calls For Unity Among Nigerians

The Pan Niger Delta Forum, PANDEF, has described President Muhammadu Buhari’s Democracy Day address, to the nation, as rhetoric, apathetic, and largely, a promissory note.

PANDEF regrets that the only achievement in the Niger Delta, President Buhari could cite in his address, is the supposed completion of an NDDC Head Office.

This was made known in a statement signed by the National Publicity Secretary, PANDEF, Hon. Ken Robinson on Friday.

The statement read, “In the five years of the Buhari Administration, all that the Niger Delta Region, has continued to witness, are unfulfilled promises, unjust discrimination, and neglect.

“PANDEF further considers, as shameful, the situation, where, the interventionist agencies, established to escalate socioeconomic development in the Region, particularly, the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), have been reduced to political coliseums, and Mr. President, has conveniently chosen to remain an unconcerned spectator.

“Apparently, the only interest of the federal government, in the Niger Delta, is sustained Crude Oil Production while the people of the Region continue to suffer socioeconomic and infrastructural depravity.

“The strategic East – West Road, which traverses six States of the Region, has been abandoned, and rendered a sanctuary for criminals, and a deathtrap. Phase 5 of the Road, from Oron – Calabar has been TOTALLY FORGOTTEN.

“The Nation cannot continue to journey in its extant trajectory, and hope to be reckoned with, in the Comity of Nations.

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“PANDEF, therefore, implores, President Muhammadu Buhari, to urgently, in NATIONAL INTEREST, abjure the impairing prejudiced propensity of his administration, and assume a broader and fairer approach to the conduct of Affairs of State.”

On the occasion of Democracy Day, PANDEF also called for unity and greater understanding amongst Nigerians.

“The events of June 12, 1993; where, Nigerians shunned creed and tribal predilections, and voted en masse for Chief MKO Abiola, a Southern Moslem, for president; are symptomatic of the true essence of Nationhood.

“We, therefore, urge all Nigerians, irrespective of religion or ethnicity, to reflect on the State of the Nation, in view of current realities.

“As Citizens of Nigeria, whether, North, South, East or West, we are one people. We should, therefore, fashion out ways to, collectively, deal with the grim social, economic and security challenges, confronting the country.”