Rivers Impeachment Crisis: Wike, Fubara Meet PANDEF Peace Panel

Strong indications have emerged that the escalating political tension in Rivers State over the impeachment threat against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Professor Ngozi Odu, may soon ease, as the two opposing camps appear ready to sheathe their swords.

Findings at the weekend revealed that the principal actors in the crisis, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and his estranged political godson, Fubara, have shown signs of softening their positions following engagements with a peace and reconciliation committee set up by the Pan Niger Delta Elders Forum (PANDEF).

A credible source told Vanguard that the seven-man peace committee, led by former Attorney General of the Federation, Kanu Agabi (SAN), otherwise known as the Agabi Peace Committee, first met with Wike in Abuja last Thursday.

The committee later held a three-hour meeting with Governor Fubara on Friday in Port Harcourt.

The source further revealed that the committee had earlier met with the Chairman of the Rivers State Elders Council, Chief Ferdinand Anabraba, a known ally of the FCT minister, before holding a broader engagement with elders and leaders from both camps in Port Harcourt.

According to the source, the engagements so far have yielded encouraging results.

The source said, “So far, those meetings have been very fruitful.

“Don’t forget that before now, people had made public statements. A lot of things were said, but the outcome of those meetings is very encouraging. I can say that there is hope, a real, renewed hope.”

The source appealed to the public to allow the committee to carry out its assignment without pressure.

“Rivers people respect this committee, and I will appeal to Nigerians to allow these illustrious sons and daughters of the Niger Delta region to do their work,” he added.

The Agabi-led committee was inaugurated in Abuja last week with a mandate to reconcile the warring parties and submit its report within two weeks for further action.

It is expected that the Port Harcourt meetings with elders and stakeholders will help produce a workable solution capable of ending the political impasse in the state.

The source stressed that the willingness of both Wike and Fubara to engage the committee was a positive sign.

The source said, “If Wike and Fubara had refused to meet with the committee, then there would have been a genuine reason to be afraid that the effort would not yield a positive result.

“But right now, things are going on very well and there is every reason to hope for the best outcome.”