PANDEF sets up reconciliation committee to resolve Wike, Fubara crisis

THE Pan-Niger Delta Forum, PANDEF, led by the South-South leader, Chief Edwin Clark has set up a High Level Peace and Reconciliation Committee to mediate on and resolve the lingering crisis between the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Administration, FCTA, Nyesom Wike and Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State.

In a Communique issued at the end of its Special General Assembly meeting held in Port Harcourt weekend, PANDEF said that the reconciliatory committee is also saddled with the responsibility of nipping in the bud, all disputes and conflicts within the area.

The Communique was signed by King Alfred Diette-Spiff, the Amayanabo of Twon Brass and first Military Governor of Rivers State as Co-Chairman, Board of Trustees; former Governor of Akwa ibom State, Obong Victor Attah, Co-Chairman, Board of Trustees; former Nigeria Ambassador to Scandinavian countries( Sweden, Denmark, Finland and Norway), Dr. Godknows B. Igali, National Chairman; Hon Godwin Okotie, Ag. National Secretary and Dr. Obiuwevbi Ominimini, National Spokesman.

The Reconciliation Committee which is headed by Obong Victor Attah, Co-Chairman, Pandef BOT, has Senator Emmanuel Ibok-Essien; former Senate Whip, Senator Rowland Owie; Senator Stella Omu; former Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, Rear Admiral G. John-Jonah; H. E. Pam Ogar, and Rt. Hon. Dr. Stella Dorgu as members.

It said, “The Assembly hereby sets up a High Level Peace and Reconciliation Committee to mediate on and resolve all disputes and conflicts within the area. The Committee is headed by His Excellency, Obong Victor Attah, Co-Chairman, Pandef BOT. Others on the Committee are Senator Emmanuel Ibok-Essien, Senator Rowland Owie, Senator Stella Omu, H. E. Rear Admiral G. John-Jonah, H. E. Pam Ogar, and Rt. Hon. Dr. Stella Dorgu.”

Though the political quagmire between former Rivers State governor Wike and Fubara was not added in the Communique, but when PANDEF’s Spokesman was asked if it was part of the mandate, he said in a text that “Wike and fubare are not members of the cttee but the mandate of the cttee includes reconcilling their conflict.”

Recall that Wike and Fubara have been at loggerheads since the latter assumed office as governor in 2023, just as Fubara had said that his rift with Wike is tied to tussle over power and control in Rivers State.

The cold war between the duo had continued despite President Bola Tinubu and other relevant stakeholders’ intervention.

PANDEF has also condemned in very strong terms, the scrapping of the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs by President Bola Tinubu last week, calling on the federal government to further discuss the issue with a view to addressing several specific concerns, especially at a time when the government is pursuing policies to radically increase oil production.

The body said that the Federal Government dissolved the Ministry into a non-existing body without due consideration to those specific circumstances that led to its creation nor consultation with the critical stakeholders.

According to the Communique, the Ministry of Niger Delta was established to address specific issues bordering on the peculiar circumstances of the Niger Delta, its damaged environment and its overall importance to the national economy, even as it welcomed the proposed South-South Commission to supplement existing Federal Agencies, saying however that the name of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NÐDC) should reflect its functions and the actual membership.