Rivers crisis: Wike, Fubara have no alternative to peace — PANDEF

The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has said that the warring parties in the Rivers State political crisis have no choice but to embrace peace in the interest of the oil-rich state.

It specifically asked the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike; the Governor of the state, Mr Siminalayi Fubara; and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly to immediately sheathe their swords, embrace peace, and forgive one another.

PANDEF noted that Wike and Fubara, who would become automatic members of the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the body upon retirement from office, must heed the intervention of the organisation before the crisis escalates further.

PANDEF made the call in Abuja on Monday as it inaugurated its seven-member Peace and Reconciliation Committee to meet with the parties and resolve the dispute within two weeks.

The committee, chaired by a former Attorney-General of the Federation, Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN), was inaugurated by Chief Alfred Diete-Spiff, the Amanyanabo of Twon-Brass, who also doubles as Co-Chairman of the BoT.

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Other members of the committee are Senator Obende Domingo (Vice Chairman); Chief Essien Nduese; Dr Timiebi Koripamo-Agari; Chief Mike Ejiofor; Mrs Nella Rabana-Andem (SAN); and Prince Godwin Okotie, the Deputy National Secretary of PANDEF, who will serve as secretary.

Diete-Spiff, in a short speech while inaugurating the committee, charged the members to go all out to save Rivers State, adding that no crisis was beyond solution.

The traditional ruler observed that the Niger Delta region, the mainstay of the country’s economy, must move away from always being portrayed in a bad light before the rest of the world.

“There is nothing that can’t be resolved. We are from the region and we feel very uncomfortable whenever we hear the region being presented negatively in the media.

“We set up this committee because we strongly believe they will be able to resolve the issues,” he said.

The National Chairman of PANDEF, Ambassador Godknows Igali, while also urging an immediate ceasefire by the parties, reeled out a 10-point terms of reference the body gave to the committee to work with, including the submission of its report to President Bola Tinubu.

Among others, PANDEF sought to fully identify the “main actors” in the crisis between Fubara and the State House of Assembly.

It directed the committee to reach out to “other critical players, especially the Minister of the FCT, other former governors, elders, traditional rulers and top political leaders.”

The committee is to facilitate dialogue, especially by “encouraging open communication between Fubara and the State House of Assembly to address grievances and work towards a peaceful resolution.”

Igali went on, “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.

“Engaging with all stakeholders, leaders, and groups directly or indirectly involved or impacted by the crisis to gather perspectives to sustainable peace building consensus.

“Concluding the assignment by writing and submitting a comprehensive report with recommendations within 14 days both to guide Rivers State and contribute to nation building in Nigeria.

“The committee’s report will be submitted to the President of Nigeria and the Co-Chairmen of the BoT of PANDEF.”

Agabi, in his acceptance speech, insisted that all the parties must agree to admit their shortcomings, apologise, and forgive one another.

He said Wike and Fubara, whom he described as “great sons” of Rivers State and the Niger Delta, were both his friends, adding that he had also shared close experiences with the two political leaders.

The former AGF appealed to them, saying, “This 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.”

Rivers State has remained tense since 2023 owing to political disagreements between Wike and Fubara. The governor had previously served a six-month suspension up to September 2025, following the emergency rule proclaimed in the state by Tinubu.

After a few months of seeming peace between the parties, the crisis resurfaced recently as the parties again began hauling accusations against each other.

Last week, the State Assembly, in a petition by the Majority Leader, Major Jack, and endorsed by 26 lawmakers, cited seven to eight impeachment counts against Fubara.

These included demolition of the Assembly complex, extra-budgetary spending, withholding funds from the Assembly Service Commission, and defying a Supreme Court ruling on legislative financial autonomy.

Similar charges targeted the Deputy Governor, Ngozi Odu, who also faces impeachment.

Fubara has so far approached the matter more calmly and it is unclear what his exact strategies are, but he is expected to respond to the allegations within seven days in line with constitutional provisions.