By Solomon OKPO
The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has constituted a seven-member Peace and Reconciliation Committee to address the lingering political crisis in Rivers State, giving the panel a 14-day mandate to broker peace and restore stability.
The committee is chaired by former Attorney-General of the Federation, Chief Kanu Agabi, SAN, with Senator Obende Domingo serving as Vice Chairman. Other members are former Minister of Housing, Chief Nduese Essien; retired Federal Permanent Secretary, Dr. Timiebi Koripamo-Agari; former Director of the Department of State Services, Chief Mike Ejiofor; former Cross River State Attorney-General, Mrs. Nella Rabana-Andem, SAN; and PANDEF Deputy National Secretary, Prince Godwin Okotie, who will serve as Secretary.
Inaugurating the committee in Abuja on Monday, PANDEF National Chairman, Ambassador Godknows Igali, said the panel was established to de-escalate tensions between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the Rivers State House of Assembly, rebuild trust, and facilitate constructive dialogue between the executive and the legislature.
Igali urged all parties to cooperate fully with the committee, specifically calling on Governor Fubara and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike both members of PANDEFnto respect and abide by the outcome of the reconciliation process.
According to him, PANDEF’s moral authority, coupled with the stature and experience of the committee members, should compel all stakeholders to submit to dialogue and compromise in the overriding interest of the people of Rivers State.
“The moral authority of PANDEF and the pedigree of the committee members will compel all parties to submit to dialogue and compromise in the interest of the people,” Igali stated.
The committee’s terms of reference include identifying the principal actors in the crisis, engaging key stakeholders such as former governors, traditional rulers and political leaders, and submitting a comprehensive report with practical recommendations to PANDEF’s Board of Trustees and the President within two weeks.
Speaking on behalf of the committee, Chief Agabi described the assignment as a solemn national duty, warning that the prolonged crisis could have grave implications for the welfare of Rivers residents and the stability of the country.
“Rivers State is too important to Nigeria for anyone to stand by and do nothing,” Agabi said. He urged the parties to embrace humility, forgiveness and dialogue, stressing that sustainable peace can only be achieved through mutual understanding and compromise.
“If they have offended one another, they must be humble enough to apologise and generous enough to forgive. True greatness lies in forgiveness,” he added.
The inauguration ceremony was witnessed by eminent Niger Delta leaders, including the Amayanabo of Twon-Brass, King Alfred Papapreye Diete-Spiff, and former Akwa Ibom State Governor, Obong Victor Attah.
Diete-Spiff appealed to both Wike and Fubara to put the interest of peace above personal differences, while Attah advised the committee to maintain strict neutrality and place the welfare of Rivers people above all other considerations.
