Rivers Crisis: Peace Restored, But Not Because of Ibas — PANDEF

Rivers Crisis: Peace Restored, But Not Because of Ibas — PANDEF

The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has welcomed the lifting of the six-month emergency rule in Rivers State, but insists that peace in the state was not achieved because a sole administrator, Rear Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (Rtd), was in charge.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, PANDEF argued that the intervention of critical stakeholders, including traditional rulers, religious leaders, and community groups, played a far greater role in calming tensions. The group maintained that the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara and other elected officials had undermined democratic norms and only deepened public mistrust.

While commending President Bola Tinubu for eventually lifting the emergency rule and reinstating Fubara, PANDEF stressed that the federal government must learn lessons from the crisis to avoid similar constitutional breaches in the future.

The forum reiterated its call for dialogue, inclusiveness, and respect for democratic institutions as the best path to sustainable peace in the Niger Delta.