The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has declared that it has not endorsed any presidential candidate for the 2027 general election, urging voters in the South-South to support candidates committed to the region’s development.
PANDEF National Chairman, Ambassador Godknows Igali, stated this on Tuesday after a meeting attended by former governors, former ministers, traditional rulers and other stakeholders from the six South-South states.
Igali said the organization remained non-partisan and was not aligned with any political party or candidate. He urged voters to assess candidates’ programs, track records and capacity to address the region’s needs before making their choices.
He also called on Niger Delta indigenes holding public office, particularly at the federal level, to show greater commitment to PANDEF’s efforts to unite the region and advance its interests.
The forum’s Board of Trustees Chairman and former Akwa Ibom State Governor, Victor Attah, also reaffirmed its neutrality, urging voters to support candidates they believe would best serve the Niger Delta and Nigeria.
Beyond the 2027 election, PANDEF renewed its call for an increase in the derivation allocation to oil-producing states from the current minimum of 13 percent to 50 percent.
Igali said the proposed increase would help address environmental pollution, infrastructure gaps and other development challenges in oil-producing communities. The forum also called for the abolition of the onshore-offshore dichotomy in revenue allocation.
PANDEF represents political leaders, traditional rulers and other stakeholders from Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo and Rivers states.
