Amid growing concerns over political instability in Rivers State, the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has stepped in with a structured mediation effort aimed at restoring peace and constitutional order.
PANDEF has inaugurated a seven-member peace and reconciliation committee chaired by former Attorney-General of the Federation, Kanu Agabi, SAN, with a 14-day mandate to resolve the political standoff threatening governance in the state.
The move follows rising tensions triggered by impeachment moves against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu, by the Rivers State House of Assembly.
PANDEF Board of Trustees co-chairman and former Military Governor of Rivers State, Alfred Diete-Spiff, expressed confidence that the initiative would lead to reconciliation, stressing that the state’s economic and political importance makes prolonged instability unacceptable.
National Chairman of PANDEF, Godknows Igali, said key actors, including FCT Minister Nyesom Wike and Governor Fubara, are expected to respect the process and abide by the committee’s outcome.
Also speaking at the inauguration, committee chairman and former Attorney-General of the Federation, Kanu Agabi, described the assignment as a serious responsibility and urged all parties to embrace dialogue and restraint in the interest of peace.
The committee will engage key stakeholders, facilitate dialogue between the executive and legislature, and submit its recommendations to the President and PANDEF’s Board of Trustees within two weeks.
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