Port harcourt: The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has inaugurated a Peace and Reconciliation Committee to address the escalating political crisis in Rivers state. The committee, chaired by former Attorney-General of the Federation, Kanu Agabi (SAN), has been given a two-week deadline to resolve the tensions threatening governance in the region.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the intervention by PANDEF comes amid rising political tensions following impeachment attempts against Gov. Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu, by the state House of Assembly. Alfred Diete-Spiff, Co-Chairman of PANDEF’s Board of Trustees, expressed hope that this initiative would lead to reconciliation and lasting peace in the oil-rich state. He emphasized the strategic importance of Rivers to Nigeria’s economy and politics, stressing that prolonged turmoil is not an option.
PANDEF’s National Chairman, Godknows Igali, stated that both Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, and Fubara, as members of PANDEF, are expected to honor the reconciliation process’s outcome. He highlighted the committee’s moral authority and the members’ pedigree as factors that would encourage dialogue and compromise. Igali expressed confidence that the parties involved would respect the process and abide by the committee’s decisions in the interests of the Niger Delta.
In his address, Agabi acknowledged the gravity of the task, expressing gratitude to PANDEF for the trust placed in the panel. He praised Diete-Spiff for his enduring commitment to unity and sacrifice for the South-South region and Nigeria. Agabi urged all parties to approach the situation with wisdom and restraint, warning that the crisis, if left unresolved, could question the political actors’ commitment to the state’s welfare and the broader national interest.
Agabi, who has personal ties with both Wike and Fubara, called on them to lead by example in the reconciliation process, setting aside personal grievances for the sake of peace. The seven-member committee’s terms of reference include identifying key actors in the crisis, engaging stakeholders like former governors and traditional rulers, and facilitating dialogue between the executive and legislature. The committee is also tasked with restoring stability, ensuring resolutions align with constitutional norms, and submitting a comprehensive report to the President and PANDEF’s Board of Trustees within 14 days.