Niger Delta
PANDEF Drums Support For S’South Senate Presidency
The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has urged the APC leadership in the Senate to zone the position of Senate President to the South South region.
The group made the call in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr Ken Robinson on Tuesday in Warri.
The forum also implored the president-elect, Sen. Bola Tinubu, other key stakeholders of the APC, and indeed senators-elect of all the political parties and their parties hierarchy to support the ceding of the next senate presidency to the South South zone.
The group observed that since the beginning of this current political dispensation in 1999, the South South zone had not had a turn in the office of the senate president.
It also noted that the last time someone from the present South South states occupied the office of senate president was during the second Republic, from 1979 to 1983.
The group said that zoning the senate presidency to the South South region would guarantee equity and fairness in the political arrangement in the country.
“Ostensibly, the South South zone has an unassailable reason to step up to the senate presidency, after 24 years of our current democratic experience. No contrary arguments can stand against this South South
position.
“PANDEF, implores the president-elect, senator Tinubu, alongside other key stakeholders of the APC, and, indeed, senators-elect of all parties and the party hierarchies, to support the ceding of the incoming senate presidency to the South South.
“This is, unarguably, the fair and proper thing to do at this time of our country’s political progression,” it said.
The group expressed displeasure over some of the names reported in the media, to have indicated interest in the senate presidency.
It said that the APC had upheld the
principle of rotation of key political offices between the North and the South, in respect of the presidency of the federation.
“Therefore, APC is expected to maintain the same modus for the other major elective political offices like the senate presidency, speakership of the house of representatives and their deputies.
“Surely, the leadership of the APC cannot be entirely unmindful of the fact that a “Muslim senate presidency” will bring further imperilment to national order.
“PANDEF, as a body of patriots and proven committed stakeholders in the Nigerian project is compelled to issue this timely advice in the national interest,” the group said.
The forum, however, urged politicians to draw lessons from recent happenings in the polity and demonstrate grander statesmanship and patriotism in designing the leadership of the upcoming 10th National Assembly
It also cautioned that obsessive political characters should not be allowed to blur this all-important issue with the usual ignoble hoarse recourse to “internal affair” status.
The Rivers State Commissioner for Urban Development and Physical Planning, Rt Hon Evans Bipi, has eulogised Gen Gabriel Asabuja over his recent birthday celebration in Port Harcourt.
Bipi said Asabuja is worth celebrating following his numerous contributions and support to the administration of Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
He described Asabuja as a strong pillar of governance in Rivers State, adding that the Ministry of Urban Development and Physical Planning is happy working with him.
He noted that Asabuja’s position as a team leader of the Ministry’s taskforce has been amazing, saying the Ministry is proud associating with him.
The former lawmaker hinted that since Asabuja assumed office as leader of the taskforce, the Ministry has witnessed tremendous improvement.
Bipi said the Ministry will always stand by him to ensure that the dreams of the Governor Fubara-led government are achieved.
On his part, the celebrant, Gen Gabriel Asabuja expressed gratitude to God and the Commissioner for the honour done him.
Gen Asabuja also commended Governor Fubara for his tremendous and good leadership in the State, saying his group will continue to give the Governor maximum support in order to achieve more for Rivers people.
Gen Asabuja described Rt Hon Evans Bipi as one of the best brains working with the Governor, saying under Bipi, the Ministry of Urban Development and Physical Planning has shown capacity to leverage on the Governor’s mantra of Rivers First.
He said both the personnel of the Ministry, the Directors and adhoc staff are happy with his style of leadership.
The Joint Provincial Council, East of the Niger, Anglican Communion, held its 2025 Annual General Meeting at St. Michael’s Church, Rumuomasi Deanery, Diocese of Evo from Saturday 15th — Sunday 16th February, 2025.
The meeting which had the theme, “Kept By His Mercies”, with text from Lamentations 3:22-23, had the Archbishops, Bishops, their wives, Chancellors, Financial Secretaries and Synod Clerical Secretaries of the 58 Dioceses as delegates.
At the opening ceremony on Saturday, the Dean of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) and Chairman of the Council, Most Rev Blessing Enyindah, charged delegates to stay focused and committed to the matters for discussion and implement decisions reached for the growth of the Church in the region and the advancement of the business of God’s Kingdom.
Most Rev Enyindah, who is also the Archbishop of the Niger Delta Province and Bishop of the Diocese of Ikwerre, lauded the Diocese of Evo for the giant strides recorded in just 15 years of existence while tasking the leadership not to rest on its oars but to strive further to complete the work of the Kingdom in their hands.
Addressing the council in his welcome address, the Bishop of the Diocese of Evo and host of the Joint Council, The Rt Rev Innocent Ordu, welcomed the delegates, and reminded them that the theme is apt and fit as it reminds the Church of God’s inexplicable and instructible mercy towards mankind, which supersedes His righteous judgements.
Bishop Ordu further lamented the many challenges bedeviling the country, such as skyrocketing cost of living, ravaging sicknesses and ailments, proliferation of harmful drugs, natural disasters, high level corruption in public offices, inept political leadership, amongst others, which he said could not consume mankind because of God’s mercies.
In their separate speeches, delegates saluted the Diocese of Evo for willingly accepting to host the council and the comfort they enjoyed during their stay.
Earlier, the council appointed the Synod’s Clerical Secretary of the Diocese of Evo, Rev (Canon) (Dr) Ebenezer Owhor as the Assistant Secretary of the Joint Council.
Also, before the commencement of plenary, the women of St. Michael’s Church, Rumuomasi Deanery thrilled delegates to good traditional tunes and dance steps while His Royal Highness Eze( Sir) Raymond Chinda led the chiefs and elders of Rumuomasi community in Oropotoma Kingdom, to appreciate the council for choosing the community to host the meeting.
They solicited for prayers of peace, unity and development from the council.
The meeting ended on Sunday evening while the Archbishops and Bishops worshipped in various churches in the Diocese of Evo.