Niger Delta group withdraws ultimatum, joins FG’s implementation team

A Niger Delta coalition, Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has called off a 90 days ultimatum given to the Federal
Government to meet its 16-point agenda or it pulls out of ongoing negotiations.

The threat raised fears of resumed militancy and bombing in the oil rich region in Nigeria’s south south and the change of heart followed a meeting with acting President Yemi Osinbajo in Abuja.

In addition, the government has disclosed that the PANDEF will now join its Inter-Ministerial Group tasked with the implementation government’s vision for the region, as part of efforts to propel the vision for the region.

Acting President Yemi Osinbajo, while welcoming PANDEF’s offer to fully join the inter-ministerial group, reiterated the full commitment of the Federal Government to realise a new and prosperous Niger Delta developed through forthright partnerships between Federal Government, State Governments, private sector and local communities.

“We are fully committed and thankful for your contributions and feedback. We are working on this day by day. From the beginning, we took the 16-point demand very seriously and we also developed our own plan mostly based on those demands” he said.

After the closed door meeting with Acting President, Yemi Osibajo, the leader of the forum, Edwin Clarke told newsmen that the group changed their minds about the ultimatum after talks with the Acting President which he described as honest, truthful, and forthright.

“No more ultimatum. We agreed on many things. They came with their own address, the ministers all spoke, presented their cases and at the end, the Acting President rounded it up. We saw his genuine, forthrightness, he is a gentleman. We are satisfied. We have agreed to work together and the issue of dialogue must to take place” he told newsmen.

The group which supposedly consists of all leaders of the different Niger Delta groups has threatened to pull out of ongoing negotiations with the Federal Government to restore and permanent peace in the region. A move, that if made will disrupt oil production in the country which has relatively peaked.

Nigeria’s recovering oil production comes as crude oil prices hit a two-month high of US$52.25 and watchers say and disruption in oil production, due to militant attacks or strike action by labour unions, could mean Nigeria missing out on reaping from the higher crude oil prices.

Clarke said the message the group was taking home back home is “that we had the opportunity to meet with Mr. Acting President we discussed our 16-point agenda and government’s 20-point agenda and we are all satisfied. We all agreed that everyone should maintain peace”.

 

Elizabeth Archibong, Abuja