PANDEF Initiates Mediation Between Rivers Governor and FCT Minister to Resolve Feud

**PANDEF Initiates Mediation Between Rivers Governor and FCT Minister to Resolve Feud*

The Pan-Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has launched a mediation effort to defuse the escalating political conflict between Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike. This intervention follows President Bola Tinubu’s March 18 declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, which led to the suspension of Governor Fubara, his deputy, and the state’s House of Assembly members.

PANDEF Chairman Godknows Igali confirmed to Fusion Chronicles that the regional body facilitated a peace dialogue between the two leaders, hosted by a neutral southern governor. Speaking on Channels TV’s The Morning Brief, Igali emphasized the forum’s commitment to fostering reconciliation. “Our mandate is to promote dialogue, peace, and the welfare of the Niger Delta people. We’ve established a framework to resolve this crisis amicably,” he stated.

Igali revealed that initial attempts to engage both parties faced resistance, but persistent efforts by PANDEF’s elder committee eventually secured their cooperation. The team held multiple discussions with aides and met directly with Governor Fubara twice, while also engaging associates close to Wike. “Both sides have now agreed to a face-to-face meeting on neutral ground,” Igali added.

Highlighting progress, he disclosed that a southern governor unconnected to the dispute has offered to host the talks. “We identified a suitable location and secured a governor’s commitment to provide impartial venue. This marks a critical step forward,” Igali noted, though he refrained from naming the host.

The chairman stressed that PANDEF’s proactive approach averted a more confrontational stance. “Without this opening for dialogue, our response would have been starkly different,” he asserted, expressing optimism about the mediation’s trajectory.

The breakthrough comes amid heightened tensions in Rivers State, where the political rift has threatened governance stability. PANDEF’s involvement signals a regional push to restore calm, leveraging established channels of diplomacy to bridge divides between the feuding leaders.