The naming of the railway complex in Agbor, Delta state after former president Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has been described as “meaningless and belittling" by Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF).

In a statement by the group through its national publicity secretary, Ken Robinson, PANDEF said it rejected the naming because it is disparaging to the status of the former president.

Recall that President Muhammadu Buhari approved the naming of the railway complex in Agbor, the operational hub of Itakpe-Warri rail line, after his predecessor Jonathan.

Rotimi Amaechi, minister of transportation, made this confirmation on Saturday, July 18, through a tweet by the presidential aide, Tolu Ogunlesi.

The transport minister said the Itakpe-Warri rail line will now be acknowledged as the Goodluck Jonathan Railway Station and Complex.

 Amaechi also said the project is ready for commissioning, adding that priority of the Warri-Itakpe rail corridor remains prioritizing the movement of goods especially since the rail line passes through Ajaokuta.

But in a late reaction, PANDEF said though the railway complexes were named after prominent and deserving Nigerians, the inclusion of Jonathan in the list is "completely unacceptable."

“It is simply improper, incongruous and completely unacceptable that one of several railway stations in the country would be named after former President Jonathan.

More so, there is no other former Head of State or President that a railway station has been named after,” part of the statement read.

PANDEF described the development as "dishonourable gesture” and called on the federal government to reverse the naming.