THISDAY

Clark, Adebanjo, Nwodo, Jang Others Set For Mega Rally On Restructur­ing

- SylvesterI­dowu in Warri

Barring last minute changes, all is set for a mega rally by the leadership of the South South as part of the renewed struggle for the restructur­ing of the country.

The rally is being planned by the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) to liberate the Niger Delta people from exploitati­on, oppression and neglect.

A communique signed by leaders of PANDEF drawn from all the South-South states of the region and made available to newsmen in Warri, Delta State, said that there would be delegation from the South West, South East and Middle Belt for the mega rally.

The rally christened, the “firstever South-South Mega Rally On Restructur­ing” to be led by elder statesman, Chief Edwin Clark, will hold at the Samson Siasia Stadium in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State as agreed by monarchs, past and present political office holders, community leaders, academics, opinion moulders, leaders of thought, women and youth groups in the region.

According to the communique, the essence of the Mega Rally was to “mobilise and raise the consciousn­ess of the people of the South-South region and to articulate a common, unified agenda on the subject matter of restructur­ing.”

Delegation expected from the South West, according to the release, would be led by Afenifere chieftains, Chief Ayo Adebanjo and Chief Olu Falae and a delegation from the South East would be led by the President-General of Ohanaeze, Chief Nnia Nwodo and former governor, Dr. Chukwuemek­a Ezeife.

Others expected include statesmen from the Middle Belt led by the President of Middle Belt Forum (MBF), Dr. Bala Takaya and Jonah Jang, former Governor of Plateau State.

Speakers and participan­ts, the communique further stated, shall be drawn from across political, economic and social spectra; government and non-government­al organisati­ons from the whole country.

The press release however reiterated that there was the need to “reemphasis­e and redefine the essence and significan­ce of the PANDEF’s 16-point demands to serve as the basis of constructi­ve engagement with the Federal Government and other geopolitic­al zones in the United Federal Republic of Nigeria, on the platform of equity, fairness and justice.”

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