The Pan Niger Delta Forum reconciliation committee set up to mediate in the Rivers State political crisis has met with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike and his successor, Siminalayi Fubara, the two actors in the rift.
PANDEF’s National Chairman and former Ambassador to Scandinavian countries, Sweden, Denmark, Finland and Norway, Dr Godknows Igali, disclosed this in an interview with Sunday PUNCH on Saturday.
The forum, which is an umbrella of socio-political organisation of the South-South geo-political zone, had recently set up a seven-man reconciliation committee headed by former Attorney General of the Federation, Chief Kanu Agabi, SAN to explore ways of ending the protracted political crisis in the oil-rich state.
Igali said the committee was made up of respectable Nigerians who are making headway and that both Wike and Fubara are cooperating with the members.
He expressed happiness that the willingness of the two political leaders to make themselves available and give a listening ear to the committee pointed to the fact that they also want peace.
He said aside from Wike and the governor, the committee was also interfacing with other critical stakeholders, including traditional rulers supporting either side, adding that progress was being made and there was no cause for alarm.
“The committee is on the ground as we speak now in Port Harcourt, holding meetings with critical stakeholders. They have met with Wike and the governor. They had an exhaustive meeting with the governor. They have met with elders from the two sides.
“There is a lot of progress taking place. So, there should be no fear. If Wike and the governor were not ready to cooperate, they would not meet with them (committee). That they could accept to meet with them means that they too want a solution,” Igali said.
He allayed the fear of the people about Fubara’s impeachment plot, saying the crisis would be managed.
Accoring to him, a crisis in Rivers State will affect the entire country.
“We are from a region that has very credible elders. Let the elders intervene and see what they could do. And I can assure you that so far, all parties are cooperating with them.
“So, the committee is very busy meeting people. They may not meet the whole assembly but they meet two or three of their leaders.
“The whole country is disturbed and because the people concerned are people with reputation and integrity and our organisation, PANDEF itself is a regional leading body, so everybody is satisfied with what is happening.”
Meanwhile, the Ijaw National Congress has faulted the decision of the Martin Amaewhule-led Rivers State House of Assembly to continue with the impeachment proceedings against Fubara and his deputy, Prof Ngozi Odu, despite several interventions from respected groups within and outside the state.
