The Pan Niger Delta Forum has set up a seven-member ad hoc committee to intervene in the renewed political tension between Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, in a bid to restore stability in the state.
The socio-political body, which represents the South-South geopolitical zone, said the committee has been given two weeks to reconcile the parties and rebuild political confidence in the governance of Rivers State.
The committee was inaugurated on Monday in Abuja and is chaired by a former Attorney-General of the Federation, Kanu Agabi, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria. A former senator representing Edo North in the Seventh National Assembly, Obende Domingo, will serve as vice-chairman, while PANDEF’s Deputy National Secretary, Godwin Okotie, will act as secretary.
Other members include a former Minister of Housing, Essien Nduese; retired federal permanent secretary, Timiebi Koripamo-Agari; retired Director of the State Security Service, Mike Ejiofor; and Nella Rabana-Andem, SAN, a former Attorney-General of Cross River State.
The move comes amid renewed impeachment threats against Governor Fubara by members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, with the latest attempt made on January 8. It marked the third impeachment move since the political rift between Fubara and Wike began in 2023.
The first impeachment effort, initiated in October 2023 over allegations of gross misconduct, was later halted following the intervention of President Bola Tinubu, who brokered a peace deal between the parties at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
Governor Fubara’s recent defection from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress has also added a new dimension to the crisis, with political observers viewing the move as an attempt to secure protection within the ruling party.
While inaugurating the committee, PANDEF National Chairman and Chairman of its Board of Trustees, Godknows Igali, appealed to all parties involved to respect the reconciliation process and accept the committee’s recommendations.
He expressed confidence that stakeholders would cooperate fully in the interest of peace and stability in Rivers State.
In his response, Agabi assured that the committee would work diligently to bring the prolonged political dispute to an end, describing the situation as one that has persisted for far too long.
He warned that allowing the crisis to fester would cast doubt on the commitment of the actors involved to the welfare of Rivers State and the nation as a whole.
Agabi urged the parties to embrace humility, forgiveness and reconciliation, stressing that the dispute could be resolved amicably without external interference.
According to him, the parties share a common political history and have at various times supported one another to attain public office, making reconciliation both possible and necessary.
He also cautioned against dismissing moral and spiritual considerations in politics, noting that leadership positions ultimately come with accountability and responsibility.
The committee chairman further appealed to members of the Rivers State House of Assembly to exercise restraint and reconsider the impeachment process, urging them to demonstrate maturity and public-spiritedness in the handling of the crisis.
Agabi emphasised that the committee was not set up to apportion blame or pass judgment but to appeal to all sides to make sacrifices in the interest of peace.
He called on the parties to take deliberate steps toward reconciliation, saying lasting stability could only be achieved through dialogue, forgiveness and mutual understanding.
