By Amos Odeh
The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) on Tuesday said that the people of the Niger Delta must benefit maximally from its resources through a restructured Nigeria to ensure sustainable peace and stability in the region.
National Chairman of PANDEF, Air Commodore Idongesit Nkanga (rtd), stated this during the second national executive committee meeting and inauguration of the Bayelsa State chapter of the forum led by its Chief Thompson. K Okorotie at the Traditional Rulers Council in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa state capital.
Nkanga said that the forum was aware of the myriad of challenges facing the country, hence it joined forces with Pan Yoruba group, Afenifere, Ohanaeze N’Digbo, the Middle Belt Forum and recently the Northern Elders Forum in clamouring for the restructuring of the country, as espoused in its 16-point agenda, which include fiscal federalism.
He pointed out that Nigeria cannot be a first class country with second class citizens, stressing the need for President Muhammadu Buhari to commence the process of restructuring the country to accommodate all ethnic groups/nationality.
The PANDEF national chairman however charged the newly inaugurated Bayelsa State Executive Committee led by its Chairman, Chief T. K.O. Okorotie, to take the message of restructuring to the nooks and crannies of the state.
He also advised them to carry out their mandate in accordance with the objectives and the constitution of the forum.
His words: “The main issue that we have spoken about in Ibadan,
Yenagoa, Awka and Makurdi had been that Nigeria has to be restructured so that everybody would be accommodated. That there be no first class or second class citizens.
