The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) states that its support for Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate, is definite and non-negotiable.
Ken Robinson, the forum’s National Publicity Secretary, disclosed the information in a statement issued in Abuja and made accessible to the press on Monday.
The declaration is a response to an endorsement of Bola Tinubu, the All Progressives Congress presidential candidate, by a group identifying itself as the PANDEF youth branch.
Edwin Clark, the national leader of PANDEF and an elder statesman, endorsed Obi in January and the Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Forum (SMBLF) on February 2.
The statement read, “The attention of PANDEF has been directed to various nonsense in the media alleging the forum’s endorsement of Obi, attributed to a bogus Youth Wing of the forum.”
“PANDEF advises the public to overlook the rumored rejection of Obi’s support by so-called youths.
“It is the product of childish musings.
“PANDEF does not have wings in the first place.
“The forum maintains a unified framework at the federal, state, and municipal levels of government.
The statement continues, “For the avoidance of doubt, PANDEF stands by Clark’s and SMBLF’s endorsement of Obi.
“The PANDEF’s endorsement of Obi is unequivocally sacred.
“PANDEF will not be deterred by the infraction, but will instead redouble its efforts to achieve Obi’s win in the Niger Delta area.
“The forum warns teenagers in the region not to fall for the tricks of avaricious politicians and to avoid all acts of violence before, during, and after the next elections.”