By George Ozalla
The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), a prominent socio political and regional advocacy platform representing stakeholders across the oil rich Niger Delta, has restated its commitment to national cohesion, dialogue driven engagement, peace building and democratic stability in Nigeria, as it continued its consultations with political leaders and institutions across the country.
Over the years, PANDEF has positioned itself as a collective voice for the Niger Delta, consistently engaging federal authorities, political actors and regional interests on matters bordering on development, resource control debates, security concerns, environmental challenges and political inclusion. PANDEF has maintained that constructive dialogue remains central to resolving tensions and strengthening trust between the region and the wider Nigerian state, a posture that has shaped its interventions in national discourse.
In its latest courtesy visit engagement, PANDEF commended the National Leader of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Nigeria Democratic Congress, Senator Seriake Dickson, describing the party as an emerging political movement that continues to attract growing attention within Nigeria’s evolving political landscape.
The PANDEF delegation was led by its National Chairman, Ambassador Godknows Igali, who was accompanied by the Deputy National Chairman, Hon. Bassey Nyong Ekefre, the National Treasurer, Mrs. Ifeoma Onyeoma Agbomah, and other senior officials of the forum.
The visit formed part of what PANDEF described as ongoing consultations with political stakeholders aimed at strengthening engagement and reducing political tension through structured dialogue.
Ambassador Igali further stated that PANDEF remains firmly committed to national cohesion and democratic stability across the Niger Delta and the wider country, stressing that PANDEF’s interventions are anchored on sustained dialogue, inclusion and the promotion of mutual understanding among diverse political interests. He added that PANDEF’s continuous engagement with political actors is driven by the need to encourage participation and reduce friction within the democratic process.
He stressed that PANDEF has consistently placed itself at the forefront of dialogue based interventions aimed at addressing political concerns, bridging divides and reinforcing unity across the federation. According to him, PANDEF’s approach has remained one of engagement rather than confrontation, with emphasis on building consensus around issues affecting governance, development and national stability.
The forum further stated that its engagement with Senator Dickson was part of a wider series of consultations being held across political divides in the country, noting that such interactions are necessary for sustaining democratic conversation and strengthening institutional understanding among actors in the political space.
PANDEF also commended Dickson for his contributions to the development and visibility of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, noting that the party has continued to feature in recent national political conversations and is gradually gaining recognition within the country’s political structure.
Senator Seriake Dickson, in his remarks, stated that open engagement, inclusiveness and continuous participation remain essential pillars for strengthening Nigeria’s democratic culture. Dickson further added that political platforms must continue to provide space for broader stakeholder involvement, especially at a time when national unity and democratic consolidation require deeper collaboration among actors across different regions and interests.
