PANDEF entreats presidency, wants revisit of 2002 ICJ ruling ceding Bakassi Peninsula to Cameroon

The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to revisit Nigeria’s ceding of the Bakassi Peninsula to Cameroon, citing the devastating impact on displaced communities and the economic fortunes of Cross River State.

Obong Victor Attah, PANDEF’s co-Chairman and former Akwa Ibom Gove read the statement of the body during a meeting with President Tinubu at the State House, Abuja, on Tuesday.

He as well dwelt on many other concerns of the people of the oil-rich Niger Delta region, including finding a lasting solution to the political crisis in Rivers State, the state of insecurity in the region and the need to prioritise the issue of fiscal federalism.

The regional socio-cultural body lamented that the 2002 International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruling and the subsequent Green Tree Agreement had left thousands of Nigerians without their ancestral homes and means of livelihood.

“The aftermath of this decision continues to haunt our people, displacing entire communities, depriving them of basic amenities, and threatening their cultural survival. We do not wish to dwell on past mistakes, but it is imperative to revisit this matter and explore ways to mitigate its impact on the affected communities,” Attah said.

The PANDEF delegation also raised concerns over the escalating political crisis in Rivers State, calling on President Tinubu to intervene and ensure an amicable resolution between the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Wike, and Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara.

Despite the President’s earlier mediation efforts, the crisis remains unresolved due to conflicting court rulings.

“Rivers State is an economic nerve center, and any instability there has dire consequences for the entire nation,” PANDEF warned.

The forum revealed that it had constituted a High-Level Peace and Reconciliation Committee chaired by Obong Victor Attah to mediate in the crisis but stressed that the President’s direct intervention was necessary.

“Mr. President must impress upon all stakeholders that peace is paramount and that a solution must be found outside the courts,” Attah said.

PANDEF further urged President Tinubu to sign into law the South-South Development Commission bill, stressing that it would complement the work of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) in addressing regional development needs.

“The NDDC was designed to tackle oil industry-related challenges, but the South-South Development Commission is necessary to drive overall development in the region,” the group explained.

The leaders also decried the worsening security situation in the South-South, citing increasing cases of kidnappings, violent attacks, and sea piracy.

They warned that as security operations intensify in other parts of the country, criminal elements are shifting their activities to the region.

“If left unchecked, this could push local communities toward self-help measures, a situation that could spiral out of control,” PANDEF cautioned.

The group called for improved intelligence gathering and security reinforcements, as well as the swift establishment of a Coast Guard to protect coastal communities.

PANDEF highlighted the poor state of infrastructure in the Niger Delta, lamenting the slow progress on major roads such as the East-West Road, Calabar-Itu-Ikot Ekpene Road, and Benin-Warri Highway.

They urged the federal government to accelerate these projects and prioritize the development of new deep-sea ports in Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, and Edo States.

On oil sector reforms, the leaders advocated for increased local participation, urging the appointment of qualified Niger Delta indigenes to top positions in the NNPC and other energy agencies.

They also pushed for the implementation of modular refineries to curb illegal refining and reduce environmental pollution.

“The federal government must follow through on its commitment to support modular refineries as a way to address oil theft and create jobs,” PANDEF emphasized.

The group concluded by urging President Tinubu to champion fiscal federalism, arguing that it remains the most viable path to national development.

“This is an issue Your Excellency has long championed, and we believe your leadership can make true federalism a reality,” PANDEF stated.

Reaffirming their support for the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda, the Niger Delta leaders pledged continued cooperation with the federal government to ensure national stability and prosperity.

“Your success will be our collective success,” Attah declared.