The Pan-Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), a group with the interest of the Niger Delta as its focus, has set up a committee to resolve the crisis in Rivers state, between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his Predecessor,FCT Minister Nyesom Wike.
Notwithstanding President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and other major stakeholders’ interventions, the face-off between the duo, which started shortly after Governor Fubara’s assumption of office, had continued to drag on.
Also, the state legislature, as an aftermath of the conflict, has remained divided along the pro-Wike and pro-Fubara lines, a development that has led to several legal tussles.
…PANDEF peace move
To bring about peace therefore, PANDEF appointed a former Akwa Ibom state Governor Obong Victor Attah, who is the co-chairman of PANDEF Board of Trustees (BoT), to head the seven-man reconciliation committee.
Other committee members are Senator Emmanuel Ibok-Essien, Senator Rowland Owie, Senator Stella Omu, Rear Admiral G. John-Jonah(retd), Colonel Pam Ogar(retd), and Rt. Hon. Dr. Stella Dorgu.
This was the high point of the group’s special General Assembly in Port Harcourt, the Rivers state capital, Thursday, 24 October 2024.
The assembly, according to the communique issued Sunday, was jointly chaired by His Royal Majesty, King Alfred Diette-Spiff, the Amayanabo of Twon Brass, the first military governor of Rivers state, and co-chairman PANDEF BoT, and Obong Atta.
The communique was jointly signed by King Diette-Spiff, former Governor Attah, former Nigeria Ambassador to Scandinavian countries (Sweden, Denmark, Finland and Norway) and PANDEF National Chairman, Dr. Godknows B. Igali, Acting National Secretary Hon Godwin Okotie, and its spokesperson, Dr. Obiuwevbi Ominimini.
“The Assembly hereby sets up a High Level Peace and Reconciliation Committee to mediate on and resolve all disputes and conflicts within the area. The Committee is headed by His Excellency, Obong Victor Attah, Co-Chairman, PANDEF BOT. Others on the Committee are Senator Emmanuel Ibok-Essien, Senator Rowland Owie, Senator Stella Omu, H. E. Rear Admiral G. John-Jonah, H. E. Pam Ogar, and Rt. Hon. Dr. Stella Dorgu,” the communique said.