By Our Reporter
Pan - Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has urged all stakeholders in Rivers State to exercise restraint following the decision by the State House of Assembly to commence impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Deputy Governor Prof. Ngozi Odu.
PANDEF made this call in a statement issued on Friday by the Board and National Executive Committee of the apex socio-political organisation representing the South-South, describing the political developments as "deeply disturbing" and warned that the situation required urgent attention to prevent further escalation and a breakdown of law and order.
The PANDEF Board of Trustees is co-chaired by King Alfred Diete-Spiff, Amanyanabo of Twon-Brass, and former Akwa Ibom State Governor Obong Victor Attah, with Ambassador Godknows Igali serving as National Chairman.
The Forum, while highlighting the strategic importance of Rivers State to the Niger Delta and Nigeria’s socio-political and economic stability, called on all parties to embrace peace and dialogue, saying that they must now focus squarely on good governance and development of the state.
“All stakeholders must place paramount importance on peace, development, and the welfare of the people of Rivers State.
“We must now focus squarely on good governance and development of the state,” the statement said.
PANDEF commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC), respected elders of Rivers State, and other Nigerians for their efforts to restore stability in the state.
The Forum, in line with its long-standing role in peace-building across the Niger Delta, announced the formation of a high-level reconciliation committee to mediate the crisis.
It appointed former Attorney-General of the Federation, Kanu Agabi, as the chairman of the committee, with members including former Senator Obende Domingo; former Minister of Housing, Essien Nduese; retired Permanent Secretary, Timiebi Koripamo-Agari; retired DSS Director, Chief Mike Ejiofor; and former Cross River State Attorney-General, Nella Rabana-Andem, while Prince Godwin Okotie, Deputy National Secretary of PANDEF, will serve as secretary.
The forum urged full cooperation with the committee, describing the team as "distinguished and highly respected senior Nigerians and sons and daughters of the South-South zone" committed to achieving "a peaceful, fair, and sustainable resolution through a dispassionate and inclusive process."
It would be recalled that the Rivers Assembly, led by Speaker Martin Amaewhule, formally commenced impeachment proceedings against Governor Fubara and his deputy, Prof. Odu during a plenary session on Thursday.
The Majority Leader, Major Jack, presented a notice signed by 26 lawmakers, outlining multiple allegations of gross misconduct against the governor.
The alleged charges include extra-budgetary spending of over N800 billion without legislative approval, withholding funds allocated to the Assembly Service Commission, demolition of the Assembly Complex, and defiance of Supreme Court rulings on legislative autonomy.
A separate notice was also read against the deputy governor for allegedly conniving in unconstitutional expenditures.
Speaker Amaewhule announced that the notices would be served on the governor and his deputy within seven days, in line with the Constitution.
The development marked a renewed escalation in the protracted political crisis in Rivers State, stemming from the fallout between Governor Fubara and his predecessor, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Mr. Nyesom Wike.
Previous impeachment attempts in 2023 and 2025 were halted by presidential interventions and a State of Emergency was declared by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
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