The high-level peace and reconciliation committee established by the Pan Niger Delta Elders Forum (PANDEF) to address the Rivers State political crisis has been given two weeks to submit its report, The Nation has learnt.
PANDEF’s national chairman, Dr. Godknows Igali, announced the timeline on Monday during the inauguration of the committee, chaired by former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Chief Kanu Agabi, SAN.
The seven-member committee is tasked with resolving the escalating tensions between Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara and members of the State House of Assembly.
Igali said the committee must produce and submit a comprehensive report with actionable recommendations within 14 days, aimed at guiding Rivers State toward stability and contributing to broader national cohesion.
He also noted that both FCT Minister Nyesom Wike and Governor Fubara automatically qualify as members of the PANDEF Board of Trustees by virtue of their positions, adding that they will formally assume those roles once they leave office. All former governors of South-South states, he added, are also automatic BOT members.
Inaugurating the committee, His Royal Majesty King Alfred Papapraye Diete-Spiff, former Governor of Rivers State and Amayanabo of Twon-Brass, said the crisis is resolvable and urged both parties to prioritise peace for the unity of the state and the region.
Under its terms of reference, the committee is expected to identify key actors in the crisis, consult relevant stakeholders, and initiate dialogue between Governor Fubara and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
“Fully identifying the main actors in the crisis between the Governor and the Speaker of the House of Assembly.
“Reaching out to other critical players, especially the Minister of the FCT, other former Governors, elders, traditional rulers, and top political leaders.
“Facilitating Dialogue, especially by encouraging open communication between Governor Fubara and the State House of Assembly, to address grievances and work towards a peaceful resolution.
“Recommending steps to restoring reconciliation and Stability.
“Finding ways to restore law and order in Rivers State, ensuring the welfare and safety of citizens.
“Encouraging tolerance, compromise, and political balance among. Stakeholders to prevent further escalation.
“Ensuring that any resolution respects the democratic will of the people and adherence to constitutional norms.
“Ensuring that sensitive information shared during the reconciliation process is kept confidential to foster trust and facilitate open dialogue.
“Consulting Stakeholders: Engaging with all stakeholders, leaders, and groups directly or indirectly involved or impacted by the crisis to gather perspectives to sustainable peace building consensus.”
Agabi, who spoke on behalf of members of the committee, assured the PANDEF Board that the committee will do everything possible to ensure success.
He said they hid the call of the 97-year-old traditional rulers to mediate in the crisis.
He noted that the political crisis in Rivers State had lingered for too long.
He, however, stressed that the “Committee is not appointed to sit in judgment over the parties. We have no competence to do so. Our duty is to appeal to the parties to be reconciled with one another, and we now do so. We appeal to the parties to embrace reconciliation. We urge them, we beg them, we appeal to them. Sacrifices are called for. Make them and let there be peace.
“We are appointed to explore ways of bringing the escalating political crisis in Rivers State to an end. This crisis has persisted for too long. If it continues any further, it will call into question the commitment of the parties involved to the interest of the people of Rivers State and of the nation that is compelled to share in the pains and anxieties of that State.
“We cannot afford to stand by and do nothing or pass by on the other side, as Rivers state, a state whose talents and resources have blessed and continue to bless the nation, struggles with issues of political power.
“The resolution of this matter is something that the parties can handle themselves without the intervention of third parties. They must be willing to go the extra mile with one another, to turn the other cheek, and to pray for one another. Let them not dismiss this as weak or sentimental, as we often do when the name of the Lord is mentioned in politics or economics.
“The misconception that God has no place in our politics has harmed and continues to harm the nation.
“Whether we are governors or ministers or legislators, whoever we are, it is to God that we owe our appointments and promotions. Whether we are servants or slaves, it is the Lord that we serve. And it is to him that we shall, in the end, render an account. We urge the parties to proceed with caution. We urge them to make allowance for error. We appeal to them to proceed with a prayer for forgiveness just in case they may be wrong.”
Speaking of the three major actors in the crisis, Agabi said, “The Minister, His Excellency, Nyesom Wike, is my friend. He is my benefactor. He is a man I love. He is a man I respect. I bear witness to his courage and patriotism. The work he did as Governor of Rivers State and the work he is doing as Minister of the FCT have since immortalized him. The mighty hand of God is upon him. That great Hand demands that he should lead this reconciliation.”
For the governor, he said, “I say the same thing about His Excellency Governor Fubara. I happen to have been a member of the team that defended the petition that arose from his election as governor. That is my bond with him. I trust him to respect that bond.”
He added, “In a nation as diverse as ours, discordant voices will be heard from time to time. In the midst of those discordant voices, the President can be trusted to recognize the clear ring of truth when he hears it.
“That is the whole essence of the Presidential system in vesting the president with all executive power, which he is trusted to exercise in order to calm the nation down.”
For the legislators, Agabi said, “We have great respect for the members of the House of Assembly of Rivers State, and we have no doubt whatsoever that their motives are genuine and patriotic. We pray for a change of heart on their part. It is in forgiving the Governor whatever wrongs he has committed that they will demonstrate their restraint, their public spirit, and their maturity.”
He also warned that both parties cannot afford to be like the Clam and Oyster.
He said, “Let the parties involved not be as the Clam and the Oyster, which left their abode in the depths of the sea and came to the sea shore to fight. They went on fighting even when they saw the fisherman coming. The fisherman picked them up, took them home, and made a nice fine meal of Clam and Oyster. May it not be with Rivers State as it was with the clam and the oyster.
“We trust that the Lord will touch the hearts of those to whom we address our appeal for peace and reconciliation. It is our firm conviction that this matter can be resolved amicably.
“That conviction is rooted in the fact that the parties to this dispute are one people who began as one. They played significant roles in assisting one another to the various offices that they hold now. If they have now offended one another, they must be humble enough to apologize and to forgive. It is in forgiving that true greatness can be found.”
