The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has intervened in the escalating political crisis in Rivers State, urging all parties involved to sheathe their swords and embrace peace in the interest of the state and the Niger Delta region.
PANDEF expressed concern that the political disagreement involving the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, and the Rivers State House of Assembly could degenerate into total lawlessness if not urgently addressed.
In response, the Board of Trustees and the National Executive Committee of PANDEF on Friday constituted a seven-member reconciliation committee to mediate and resolve the crisis.
The committee is headed by former Attorney-General of the Federation, Kanu Agabi. Other members are Senator Obende Domingo (Vice Chairman); Chief Essien Nduese; Dr Timiebi Koripamo-Agari; Chief Mike Ejiofor; Mrs Nella Rabana-Andem (SAN); and Prince Godwin Okotie, Deputy National Secretary of PANDEF, who will serve as secretary.
In a statement jointly signed by PANDEF’s leaders – Alfred Diete-Spiff and Victor Attah, Co-Chairmen of the Board of Trustees, and Godknows Igali, National Chairman – the body described the situation in Rivers as “deeply disturbing.”
“The Board and National Executive Committee of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), the apex socio-political body representing the people of the South-South geopolitical zone, notes with very grave concern the recent spate of political developments in Rivers State,” the statement read.
“Regrettably, these developments have now degenerated into the decision of the Rivers State House of Assembly to commence impeachment proceedings against the Governor of the State and the Deputy Governor.
“This is a deeply disturbing situation that demands urgent attention in order to forestall further escalation and breakdown of law and order,” PANDEF said.
The group noted that its concern was heightened by the strategic importance of Rivers State to the Niger Delta region and to Nigeria’s overall socio-political stability and economic well-being.
PANDEF emphasised its non-partisan stance, describing itself as a “unifying and motherly platform” for the South-South, and called on all actors in the crisis to embrace dialogue, tolerance and political accommodation.
“All stakeholders must place paramount importance on peace, development, and the welfare of the people of Rivers State, as well as the interests of other citizens of the South-South, Nigerians at large, and the sizable expatriate community resident in the state,” the statement said.
While commending President Bola Tinubu, the leadership of the All Progressives Congress, elders of Rivers State and other concerned Nigerians for previous peace efforts, PANDEF urged all parties to cooperate fully with the reconciliation committee.
“PANDEF calls on all parties to fully cooperate with this distinguished and highly respected team of senior Nigerians and sons and daughters of the South-South zone, as they selflessly commit their time and experience to this arduous assignment, with the objective of achieving a peaceful, fair, and sustainable resolution through a dispassionate and inclusive process,” the group added.
