PANDEF Mourns Patrick Dele Cole, Declares Seven-Day Mourning Period

By Chukwunonso Eric, Warri.

The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has expressed deep grief over the death of Chief (Amb.) Patrick Dele Cole, a prominent statesman and elder of the Niger Delta, who died in London on October 17, 2026, following a brief illness. He was 86.

In a statement issued by PANDEF National Chairman, Ambassador Dr. Godknows Boladei Igali, OON, the forum described the death of Chief Cole, popularly known as Chief PDC, as a painful loss to his family, the Niger Delta region and Nigeria as a whole. His death occurred only weeks after he celebrated his 86th birthday.

Chief Cole was an educationist, journalist, civil servant, diplomat and politician whose public career spanned several decades. Among the notable positions he held were Editor-in-Chief of the Daily Times of Nigeria, Presidential Adviser on Foreign Affairs, Nigeria’s Ambassador to Brazil, Presidential Candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), and member of the Board of Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

PANDEF said Chief Cole played a significant intellectual and leadership role in socio-cultural and socio-political affairs of the Niger Delta, particularly from the formative period of the forum until his death. The forum also acknowledged his contributions to Christian leadership and the preservation and promotion of Nigeria’s cultural heritage, especially the traditions of the South-South region.

The forum extended its condolences to his son, Rt. Hon. Tonye Cole, the Cole family, the people of Abonnema in the Kalabari Kingdom, where he served as a High Chief, the Ijaw nation, the government and people of Rivers State, and Nigerians at large.

As part of measures to honour the late elder statesman, PANDEF directed all its chapters in Nigeria and the Diaspora to suspend all official social activities for seven days, beginning Monday, October 19, 2026, to mourn his passing. The forum also directed that his photograph be displayed across all PANDEF media platforms throughout the mourning period.

PANDEF urged those mourning the deceased to draw comfort from the legacy of service and the distinguished life he lived.

May his soul rest in peace.