Pan-Niger Delta Forum, PANDEF, has convoked an emergency “general assembly” for tomorrow, Monday, 25 October, 2021 over the controversial bill sponsored and presented by 59 Northern-based House of Reps members which seeks to delete Section 162(2) from the 1999 Construction as amended.
The meeting to be held virtually is scheduled for11:00am Africa/Lagos via zoom.
The invitation reads in part:
“The following personalities and groups are also invited to attend: representatives of the South-South governors, speakers of the South-South states, members of the National Assembly from the region – serving and past, former governors and top political office holders, retired top military and security officers from the region.”
The Bill which The New Diplomat learnt, is currently awaiting second reading in the Green Chamber, has been generating protests across the Niger Delta.
It was gathered that the bill was sponsored by members of the House from across the states in the North, including the leader of the Northern Caucus, Musa Sarkin-Adar.
It seeks to delete Section 162(2) of the 1999 Constitution, which has to do with the management of the Federation Account.
The PANDEF invitation which was described as open, was issued on Friday by its National Chairman and former Deputy Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Emmanuel Essien.
It was extended to the governors of states in the Niger Delta and members of the National Assembly from the oil-rich Niger Delta region.
