KANU AGABI, NDUESE ESSIEN HEAD PANDEF COMMITTEE ON RIVERS STATE CRISIS
The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has constituted a seven member Peace and Reconciliation Committee to address the lingering political crisis in Rivers State, with a two week mandate to broker peace among the contending parties.
The committee is chaired by former Attorney General of the Federation, Chief Kanu Agabi, SAN, while Senator Obende Domingo serves as Vice Chairman. Other members are former Minister of Housing, Chief Nduese Essien, retired Federal Permanent Secretary, Dr Timiebi Koripamo Agari, retired 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 set up to de escalate tensions between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the Rivers State House of Assembly, restore stability and facilitate constructive dialogue between the executive and legislative arms of government.
Igali urged Governor Fubara and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, who are both members of PANDEF, to respect and abide by the outcome of the reconciliation process.
He expressed confidence that the moral authority of PANDEF, combined with the experience and credibility of the committee members, would compel all parties involved to submit to dialogue and compromise in the overall interest of Rivers State and its people.
According to him, 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 recommendations to the PANDEF Board of Trustees and the President within 14 days.
In his acceptance speech, Chief Agabi described the assignment as a solemn responsibility and appealed to all parties to embrace humility, forgiveness and dialogue. He warned that the prolonged crisis could undermine the welfare of Rivers State residents and pose broader risks to national stability.
Rivers State is too important to Nigeria for anyone to stand by and do nothing, Agabi said, stressing that true leadership is demonstrated through reconciliation and forgiveness.
He added that if parties have offended one another, they must be humble enough to apologise and generous enough to forgive, noting that lasting peace can only be achieved through sincere dialogue.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by the Amayanabo of Twon Brass, King Alfred Papapreye Diete Spiff, former governors and other eminent leaders, including Obong Victor Attah. Diete Spiff called on both Wike and Fubara to embrace peace, while Attah urged the committee to remain neutral and prioritise the welfare of the people of Rivers State above personal or political interests.
The Beagle News
