On Tuesday in Abuja, senior figures of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) announced that the organization will remain neutral and will not endorse any presidential hopeful for Nigeria’s 2027 general election.
The declaration was made after a high‑level gathering of South‑South stakeholders. PANDEF’s National Chairman, Godknows Igali, and the chairman of its Board of Trustees, former Akwa Ibom Governor Obong Victor Attah, responded to journalists’ questions, emphasizing that the forum is neither a support group nor an affiliate of any political party.
What stance did PANDEF take?
Igali clarified that PANDEF will not align itself with any political party or presidential candidate, including the incumbent President Bola Tinubu. He added that the group will not pressure residents of the Niger Delta to vote for a particular individual in the upcoming polls.
Why the neutrality?
The elders argued that the South‑South region should be free to decide its political future without external coercion. Igali urged citizens to exercise their civic duties peacefully and to select candidates whose programmes, commitments and proven capacities match the aspirations of the Niger Delta.
> “We are non‑partisan. We, therefore, call on the people of the South‑South > to exercise their civic responsibilities peacefully and vote according to > their conscience, choosing candidates at all levels whose programmes, > commitments, and demonstrated capacity align with the aspirations of the > Niger Delta,” Igali said.
What does this mean for the 2027 election?
By refusing to endorse any candidate, PANDEF signals that it will not act as a kingmaker in the presidential race. The stance may encourage a more open contest in the region, with voters evaluating contenders on policy rather than ethnic or regional endorsements.
The announcement reflects a broader trend among Nigerian civil society groups to distance themselves from partisan politics, aiming to preserve credibility and promote democratic participation across the country.
Overall, the Niger Delta elders’ decision underscores their commitment to a non‑partisan approach, leaving the choice of candidates entirely to the electorate as the nation approaches the 2027 elections.