The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has told voters in the South-South to ignore any expectation of a collective endorsement, declaring it will back no presidential candidate in the 2027 general election.
Ambassador Godknows Igali, PANDEF’s National Chairman, made the position clear on Tuesday in Abuja after a meeting of former governors, ministers, traditional rulers, and stakeholders from the six South-South states.
The gathering marked the forum’s 10th anniversary.
“PANDEF is non-partisan and not supporting any candidate. It is not a political party or support group,” Igali said.
Instead, the forum asked residents to assess contenders themselves and choose leaders with credible plans for the Niger Delta and Nigeria.
“We call on our people to ‘shine your eyes’ and vote according to their conscience,” Igali said. “They should look at candidates who have the capacity to help us as a region and move this country forward.”
A Neutral Stance in a Crowded Field
Former Akwa Ibom State Governor Victor Attah, who chairs PANDEF’s Board of Trustees, reinforced the message. He said the forum has stayed entirely neutral.
“We are not aligning ourselves with any candidate. PANDEF has remained entirely neutral and non-partisan,” Attah said.
The clarification comes as political parties intensify preparations for 2027.
PANDEF’s refusal to endorse anyone preserves its ability to negotiate with whichever government wins.
However, the forum made clear it expects candidates to compete for the region’s support through concrete commitments.
Igali also asked Niger Delta indigenes holding federal appointments to engage more actively with PANDEF’s work, arguing that stronger participation would help the forum pursue unity and development goals.
Derivation Fight Revived
Beyond the election, PANDEF renewed its long-standing demand to raise the derivation allocation for oil-producing states from the current minimum of 13% to 50%.
Igali said the increase would give oil communities more resources to fight pollution, fix infrastructure gaps, and address underdevelopment.
“The minimum 13 per cent derivation allocation had remained unchanged for more than two decades despite the environmental damage and economic burdens borne by oil-producing communities,” the forum said in its communique .
PANDEF also called for the abolition of the onshore-offshore dichotomy in revenue allocation.
The forum argued that offshore petroleum operations still affect coastal communities, fishing grounds, and livelihoods.
The Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) and the National Assembly were urged to act on both demands.
PANDEF is a regional body bringing together leaders from Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, and Rivers states.
It was formed a decade ago to promote unity and advance the Niger Delta’s interests.
