FRIDAY March 14, 2025 |TheNewsDESK
The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has threatened to dissolve its Peace and Reconciliation Committee if a key figure in the Rivers state political crisis fails to honour its invitation.
According to TheNATION, PANDEF warned that withdrawing from mediation efforts could have severe consequences for the state.
Chairman of the Peace and Reconciliation Committee, former Akwa Ibom State Governor Obong Victor Attah, urged President Bola Tinubu to persuade the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, to engage in dialogue.
Attah emphasised that only through negotiations could a resolution be reached in the ongoing political standoff.
Speaking to the media in Abuja, Attah explained that the committee deliberately excluded representatives from Rivers state to maintain neutrality.
However, despite multiple attempts, the committee has been unable to bring Wike to the negotiation table.
He reiterated that PANDEF’s mission is to promote peace and development in the region, adding that if reconciliation efforts fail, the forum would have no choice but to disband the committee and withdraw from the mediation process entirely.
“Our fear, however, is that this could have catastrophic consequences.”
He stressed that the committee was set up.last October “to prevent a full-blown crisis from developing”.
He explained that the Tuesday, 11th March 2025, visit to the president by the group was to seek his intervention, “that there was a need for him to impress upon the key personalities involved, one of whom is his cabinet minister, the necessity of prioritizing peace.”
He added, “We were firm in our resolve that an amicable resolution must be secured. Such a resolution can only be secured by negotiation, hence our setting up of the Peace and Reconciliation Committee.
“We brought to the attention of Mr. President, the difficulties that we were experiencing in trying to secure the cooperation of his cabinet minister for the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Wike, since all our attempts in the past to meet with the Hon. Minister had been rebuffed.”
He took exception of the description given to the group by Wike in a recent media chat.
He, however, said, “Since the President has thrown the ball back in our court, we intend to bring this impasse to his attention in the firm believe that he can intervene and cause his minister for the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Wike to come to the negotiation table with PANDEF.
“It must be realized that it is not possible to clap with one hand and negotiations can only take place if the parties in dispute agree to make themselves accessible and available.”
Speaking further on the visit to the president, PANDEF national leader, Ambassador Godknows Boladei Igali described as shocking the disparaging comment attributed to FCT minister, especially when the group was working for the overall interest of the region.
“Disparaging Comments by the Honourable Minister is, therefore, both shocking and unfortunate that, barely 24 hours after this significant engagement with Mr. President-an engagement that rekindled hope for peace and stability- the Honourable Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Wike, held a media chat in which he launched an unwarranted and deeply inappropriate attack on PANDE and its leadership.
“It is, therefore, highly regrettable and totally unacceptable that a serving minister in the Federal Government would exhibit such brazen disrespect towards individuals of this standing. This attitude perhaps explains his continued refusal of the Minister to engage with the Peace and Reconciliation Committee, which PANDEF constituted as far back as October 2024, despite repeated attempts to reach.”
“Notwithstanding this regrettable development, PANDEF remains unwavering in its commitment to peace, stability, and equitable development in the Niger Delta. We will continue to engage with great vigour, all relevant stakeholders in pursuit of lasting harmony in Rivers State and the broader South-South region,” he concluded.
Other members of the Peace and Reconciliation committee include former Military Governor of Kwara State, Col. Pam Ogar (rtd); Senators Emmanuel Ibok Essien, Rowland Owie and Stella Omu; former Bayelsa State Deputy Governor, Rear Admiral G. John – Jonah (rtd); and Rt. Hon Stella Dorgu.
Rivers Crisis: PANDEF Threatens To Disband Peace Committee
