The Pan‑Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has inaugurated a seven‑member Peace and Reconciliation Committee to help resolve the lingering political crisis in Rivers State, giving the panel a two‑week timeline to broker peace among the feuding parties, the socio‑political group said on Monday, January 12, 2026.
The committee was constituted by PANDEF’s leadership under the authority of its National Chairman, Ambassador Godknows Igali, and includes eminent Nigerians tasked with mediating the dispute that has strained the state’s political environment.
PANDEF described the situation in Rivers State — involving an impeachment process against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and escalating political tensions — as deeply concerning and a threat to peace and stability, both within the state and across the broader Niger Delta region.
The impeachment proceedings against Fubara and his deputy have heightened anxiety among stakeholders and residents, prompting calls for restraint and negotiated solutions.
Chief Kanu Godwin Agabi, SAN, CON, chairs the reconciliation committee and has appealed to key political figures, including FCT Minister Nyesom Wike and Governor Fubara, to prioritise forgiveness, sacrifice and dialogue in order to restore stability in Rivers State.
PANDEF’s statement emphasised the committee’s mandate to foster inclusive dialogue and seek an amicable resolution to the impasse.
The panel’s terms of reference include engaging with stakeholders across the political spectrum, promoting tolerance and political equanimity, and facilitating discussions aimed at ending hostilities and preventing further escalation of the crisis.
PANDEF’s intervention follows broad concerns about the potential socio‑economic impact of the prolonged political standoff in Rivers State, a key economic hub and strategic region within the South‑South geopolitical zone.
The forum’s leadership urged all parties involved to co‑operate with the committee in pursuing peace and to consider the welfare of citizens who have been affected by the political uncertainty.
The reconciliation committee’s formation echoes earlier calls by PANDEF and other regional leaders for restraint and mutual forbearance amid the impeachment saga and political gridlock.
Efforts to secure peace have included condemnation of confrontational approaches and emphasis on give‑and‑take negotiations.
Next steps: The committee has been tasked with reporting progress to PANDEF within two weeks, after which recommendations for sustainable peacebuilding and political stability in Rivers State are expected.
The outcome may influence further regional and national efforts to address political crises in the Niger Delta and beyond.
