Pan Niger Delta Forum Steps In To Bridge Rift Between Governor Fubara And Minister Wike

Efforts to Mend Fences: PANDEF Takes Charge

Listen up, friends. The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has rolled up its sleeves and is stepping into the ring to mediate between Siminalayi Fubara, the governor of Rivers State, and Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). These two heavyweights have been locked in a heated political battle, and PANDEF is determined to bring them to the negotiating table and restore peace to the region. This isn’t just about politics—it’s about ensuring stability for everyone involved.

Let me break it down for you. The situation escalated after President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State on March 18. This move suspended Governor Fubara, his deputy, and all members of the Rivers State House of Assembly. That’s a big deal, and it’s created a lot of tension. Now, PANDEF is trying to calm the waters before things get even more complicated.

Godknows Igali: The Voice of PANDEF

According to Naija News, Godknows Igali, the chairman of PANDEF, confirmed that the forum has organized a peace meeting between these two political heavyweights. Speaking on The Morning Brief on Channels TV, Igali shared that PANDEF has approached a southern governor, someone completely uninvolved in the conflict, to host this crucial meeting. The idea is to create a neutral space where both sides can air their grievances and work toward a resolution.

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Igali made it crystal clear that PANDEF is all about promoting dialogue and peace. He said, “We are a body that is formed to promote dialogue, to promote the reign of peace in the region, and also to defend, of course, the people. A template has been established, and that template is that we go and talk about how we can arrive at a peaceful resolution to this problem.” It’s like they’re saying, “Let’s sit down, have a real conversation, and figure this out.”

Now, here’s the kicker: If there hadn’t been an opportunity for dialogue, PANDEF wouldn’t have hesitated to take a more aggressive stance. Igali emphasized, “If that option was not there, PANDEF would have reacted totally differently.” But luckily, the mediation process is already showing some promising signs. It’s like they’re turning a corner, and that’s a good thing.

Breaking Down the Mediation Process

Let’s dive deeper into how PANDEF is handling this delicate situation. Initially, both parties were resistant to sitting down and talking. They weren’t exactly eager to engage in discussions, which made things tricky. But guess what? Things are changing. Both sides are now showing more willingness to come to the table. It’s like they’re realizing that talking it out might actually work.

Igali explained that the committee of elders within PANDEF has been instrumental in this shift. “The committee of elders succeeded in talking to the two sides. They met people who were very close to the governor. They met with the governor himself twice. Then they also met with the very close people to the minister of the federal capital territory, and the two sides agreed that, okay, let us arrange for the two principals to meet at a neutral ground,” he said.

Here’s the plan: PANDEF has already identified a neutral location for these peace talks. And guess what? They’ve got the support of a southern governor who’s completely detached from the matter. Igali revealed, “We had already started working on that, on a place where both of them can meet face to face. I can put it out that we had approached one of the governors in the south who is very detached from this matter to host, and he had accepted to host.” This shows that everyone involved is committed to finding a peaceful resolution.

In the end, it’s all about bringing these two powerful figures together and ensuring they can work out their differences for the greater good of the region. PANDEF is doing its part, and hopefully, this mediation will lead to a positive outcome for everyone involved.

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