Niger Delta Forum Meets Wike and Fubara Over Rivers State Crisis

The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has stepped up efforts to end the political crisis rocking Rivers State.

Politics Nigeria reports that the group has now met separately with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara.

The meeting was part of moves by PANDEF to broker peace between the two political leaders. Both men have been at the centre of a prolonged power struggle that has shaken governance in the oil-rich state.

PANDEF confirmed that the engagement was carried out by its reconciliation committee recently constituted to address the crisis. The committee is led by a former Attorney General of the Federation, Chief Kanu Agabi, SAN, and is made up of seven respected Nigerians.

Speaking on the development, PANDEF National Chairman, Dr Godknows Igali, said the committee had made significant progress. He explained that the willingness of both Wike and Fubara to grant audience to the committee showed a shared desire for peace.

According to him, the committee has been holding meetings in Port Harcourt with key political and traditional stakeholders aligned with both camps. He said these engagements were ongoing and productive.

“The committee is on the ground as we speak now in Port Harcourt, holding meetings with critical stakeholders. They have met with Wike and the governor. They had an exhaustive meeting with the governor. They have met with elders from the two sides.

“There is a lot of progress taking place. So, there should be no fear. If Wike and the governor were not ready to cooperate, they would not meet with them (committee). That they could accept to meet with them means that they too want a solution,” Igali said.

However, he also dismissed growing concerns over a possible impeachment of Governor Fubara. He assured residents that the situation was being carefully managed and would not spiral out of control.

Igali warned that instability in Rivers State could have serious implications for the entire country, given the strategic importance of the state to Nigeria’s economy.

“We are from a region that has very credible elders. Let the elders intervene and see what they could do. And I can assure you that so far, all parties are cooperating with them.

“So, the committee is very busy meeting people. They may not meet the whole assembly but they meet two or three of their leaders.

“The whole country is disturbed and because the people concerned are people with reputation and integrity and our organisation, PANDEF itself is a regional leading body, so everybody is satisfied with what is happening.”

Meanwhile, opposition to the impeachment move against Governor Fubara has continued to grow. The Ijaw National Congress (INC) has strongly criticised the Rivers State House of Assembly led by Martin Amaewhule for pressing ahead with impeachment proceedings against the governor and his deputy, Prof Ngozi Odu.

INC President, Prof Benjamin Okaba, described the action as unnecessary and politically motivated. He said the lawmakers were ignoring repeated interventions from respected groups within and outside Rivers State.

He faulted the legal basis of the impeachment process and described it as “a clear case of vendetta”. According to him, the move would ultimately fail.

“It is not about the growth of democracy and development in Rivers State or Nigeria. It’s about advancing personal interest above the interest of the state. It is all about what they want, what the actors want and not what is good for the state,” Okaba said.