The Pan Niger Delta Forum reconciliation committee established to intervene in the Rivers State political crisis has met separately with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and his successor, Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
PANDEF’s National Chairman, Godknows Igali, confirmed the meetings to journalists on Saturday.
The socio-political forum for the South-South had recently inaugurated a seven-man committee headed by a former Attorney General of the Federation, Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN), to explore solutions to the prolonged standoff rocking the state.
Igali said the committee is composed of highly respected Nigerians and is already making progress, adding that both Wike and Fubara have been cooperative.
He noted that the willingness of the two principal actors to appear before the committee signalled a genuine interest in peace.
He added that beyond the minister and the governor, the team was engaging other key groups, including traditional rulers aligned with both camps, stressing that the process was moving forward and there was “no cause for alarm.”
“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,” Igali said.
“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,” he added.
Igali downplayed fears surrounding the impeachment threat against Fubara, insisting the matter would be properly managed, while noting that instability in Rivers State could have nationwide implications.
“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,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Ijaw National Congress has condemned the decision of the Martin Amaewhule-led Rivers House of Assembly to pursue impeachment proceedings against Fubara and his deputy, Prof Ngozi Odu, despite multiple interventions across the state and beyond.
INC President, Prof Benjamin Okaba, in an interview with our correspondent, said the lawmakers’ actions exposed a poor understanding of the law, describing the move as “an exercise in futility.”
He said, “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.”