Rivers Crisis: PANDEF Urges Governor Fubara, Wike To Sheath Swords

By Akinwale Kasali

Pan Niger Delta Forum, PANDEF, the apex socio-political body of the Niger Delta has waded Into the face off between Governor Siminialayi Fubara of Rivers State and Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, which has led to political turmoil.

In a decisive move to halt the deepening political crisis in Rivers State, PANDEF has officially launched a high-level peace and reconciliation intervention, calling Wike, and Fubara ro sheathe their swords and rise above political rivalry and assume their historic responsibility as pillars of peace, unity and inclusive reform.

The intervention, led by a distinguished Reconciliation Committee chaired by former Attorney-General of the Federation, Chief Godwin Agabi, SAN, commenced in Port Harcourt with an urgent appeal for dialogue, restraint, and statesmanship, as political tension continues to threaten governance, security, and economic stability in the state.

Agabi addressed the Media after the meeting, describing the Rivers crisis as “a defining moment” that requires wisdom, humility and courageous leadership. He stressed that Rivers State, as the economic nerve centre of the Niger Delta, cannot afford prolonged political hostilities that weaken institutions, erode public confidence and distract from development.

“This is not a contest of personalities; it is about the destiny of Rivers State. Leaders must choose peace over pride, dialogue over division, and reform over revenge,” Agabi declared.

The committee, made up of respected statesmen, traditional leaders, legal luminaries and elder statesmen of the Niger Delta, is engaging a wide spectrum of stakeholders including political leaders, traditional rulers, civil society groups, youth organisations and women’s bodies, in what PANDEF described as a comprehensive peace architecture designed to rebuild trust, restore political cooperation and entrench inclusive governance.

The Niger Delta Apex Group, however, warned that the lingering crisis has already begun to stall development programmes, strain security structures and unsettle investor confidence, with grave implications for the state’s economy and the wider Niger Delta region.

PANDEF appealed to Wike and Fubara, and urged both leaders to subordinate personal grievances to the collective good, noting that their cooperation is indispensable to any meaningful reconciliation process.

“History has placed before you a rare opportunity to redefine leadership through peace, inclusion and reform. Rivers people expect nothing less,” the forum stated.

Political analysts opine that the PANDEF initiative represents the most credible intervention since the crisis erupted, given the moral authority of the forum and the calibre of personalities driving the negotiations.

While some see the effort as a potential turning point capable of resetting Rivers State’s political trajectory and restoring its reputation as a stable hub of commerce and governance.