The apex body of the people of the Niger-Delta, Pan Niger-Delta Forum, (PANDEF), has suggested that the Peace in Rivers State was brought by the perseverance of the state governor, Sim Fubara and other parties in the conflict.

Naijaonpoint reports that the National Chairman of the Forum, Godknows Igali, said this on Wednesday, while responding to questions in an interview on Arise Television.

Igali commened President Bola Tinubu for lifting the emergency rule but insisted that it was not by Vice-Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd) being the Sole Administrator, that peace was restored in the state.

He said, “In terms of whether a new spirit has come, first and foremost, I must appreciate the fact that we are thankful to Mr president for bringing these ugly six months to an end.

“It was a very difficult period for almost all the people of Rivers State and the rest of us from Niger-Delta, even at a time, we began to wonder if this of a thing can happen in this democratic dispensation in any part of the country because we felt that Rivers State was unduly targeted.

“PANDEF from the beginning took a position. We did not quite agree with the state of emergency. Nonetheless, we commend Mr president for taking the bold decision to correct what was wrong and we move forward from there.

“As the new spirit comes into place in Rivers State, the president is more informed than us. He was at the lead of negotiation between the various parties. We are optimistic that it has been a learning call for everybody.

“I believe some level of peace has been achieved, not by Ibas being Sole Administrator.

“The peace was brought by the perseverance of Governor Fubara and other parties in the conflict to arrive at peace and personally overseen by Mr president.”