Rivers Crisis: PANDEF Panel Meets Wike, Fubara.

Members of the Reconciliation Committee established by the Pan-Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) have returned to Abuja to brief the organisation on the progress made in reconciling Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

The committee, chaired by former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN), reportedly held lengthy meetings with key stakeholders in Port Harcourt and Abuja as part of efforts to resolve the prolonged political crisis.

It was learnt that the panel, which was inaugurated last week in Abuja, was given a two-week mandate to complete its assignment.

Speaking to journalists in Abuja, PANDEF National Chairman, Ambassador Boladei Igali, said members of the committee had returned to the capital for further consultations and were expected to return to Rivers State in a few days to conclude their work.

He also disclosed that the committee held another meeting with Wike after its return to Abuja.

The Reconciliation Committee was constituted following the impeachment notice issued against Governor Fubara and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu, by the Rivers State House of Assembly led by Speaker Martins Amaewhule.

Meanwhile, the National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Felix Morka, said the ruling party would soon announce its position on the impeachment threat.

Expressing optimism over the consultations, Igali said the panel engaged both Wike and Fubara on pathways to resolving the political deadlock.

He stressed that the governor and the FCT minister remain central figures in finding a lasting solution to the crisis.

According to Igali, the committee met with Wike on two occasions and held a three-hour meeting with the governor.

He added that the panel also consulted with the Rivers State Elders’ Council, led by former Deputy Governor, GTG Toby, as well as Dr. Suanu Baridam, who heads the reconciliation committee set up by the Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers.

Igali further said the team held in-depth discussions with an elder statesman and Wike’s ally, Chief Ferdinand Alabraba.

He explained that the committee also met with other influential elders and stakeholders across the state to gain broader perspectives on the crisis.

“They met with other elders and stakeholders, individuals who matter in the state. It has been broad consultations from the two sides. This is to enable them have a full picture of the issues at stake.

“In negotiations, results don’t come overnight. In negotiations, when you have heard from the two sides, you sit down and analyse what you have heard and try to stimulate solutions; come back with answers on the way forward.”

Responding to questions on whether the committee met with Speaker Martins Amaewhule, Igali said the panel engaged with several individuals, while emphasising that the key focus remained on the principal actors.

“The committee was able to meet with some individuals. The two main principals are the minister of the FCT and the governor. So, they have met with both of them. The other people are to get additional insight.”

“Amaewhule, the Speaker is extremely important and I believe that there is a level of contact they had with him. There is hope, and we want the media to cooperate with us so that we don’t inflame the situation.”

Igali said the willingness of both Wike and Fubara to engage with the panel demonstrated their readiness to embrace peace.

He added, “We have also advised stakeholders not to inflame the situation by making statements that will not help. The fact that the minister of the FCT and the fact that the state governor both met with the committee means that they want to resolve the matter.

“We respect the person that we appointed to broker the peace. Why I can’t give more than this is that in negotiations, you cannot say everything. I am not a member of the committee, and I have deliberately tried not to interfere in their work.

“I have met about three times with the chairman of the committee. We are getting somewhere, and by God’s grace, we will have total peace in Rivers.”

‘APC’s position on impeachment coming’

Morka said the APC would make its position on the impeachment process known “when it’s the time.”

Speaking during a television interview, he stated that the ruling party is not detached from developments in Rivers State.

Morka said: “The fact that I’m not willing to comment on the Rivers crisis on your show does not mean that the APC is disengaged in Rivers State.

“We are a political party, and a responsible party at that. Our job is to govern our party maturely. When it’s time to share our positions or decisions, be assured that I will come here and share them boldly,” he said.

“But you know there are processes that must be enabled to do their job so that at the end of the day, we call it right.”