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Rivers’ Crisis: PANDEF Advances With Reconciliation Efforts of Wike, Fubara, Preaches Peace, Tolerance, Forgiveness

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January 14, 2026

CNG

By Monday Peters, Abuja

The Pan Niger Delta Development Forum, PANDEF, reconciliation Committee, led by Chief Godwin Kanu Agabi, SAN, CON, has continued to appeal to stakeholders in Rivers State to embrace reconciliation and end the escalating political crisis.

In a statement issued on January 12, 2026, the committee expressed concern over the prolonged crisis, saying it was time for the parties involved to put the interests of the people of Rivers State and the nation above personal ambitions.

“We cannot afford to stand by and do nothing or pass by on the other side as Rivers state, a state whose talents and resources have blessed and continue to bless the nation,” Agabi said.

The committee, which includes notable figures such as Ambassador Godknows Igali and King Alfred Papapraye Diete Spiff, urged the parties to forgive and forget, citing the need for humility and prayer in resolving the dispute.

Agabi specifically appealed to Governor Siminalayi Fubara and former Governor Nyesom Wike, now Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, to lead the reconciliation effort.

“We urge the parties to proceed with caution, make allowance for error, and pray for forgiveness just in case they may be wrong,” Agabi said.

The committee also expressed respect for the members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, urging them to demonstrate restraint and public spirit by forgiving the Governor.

The statement concluded with an appeal to all parties to sacrifice their differences and work towards peace in Rivers State.

Read the full statement:

STATEMENT BY PANDEF RECONCILIATION COMMITTEE ON RIVERS STATE HEADED BY CHIEF GODWIN KANU AGABI, SAN, CON AT INAUGURATION ON 12TH JANUARY, 2026

It is our privilege to serve on this Committee. For this privilege we are grateful to God and to His Excellency, Ambassador Godknows Igali, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of PANDEF and the other respected members of the Board of Trustees. I single out for particular mention of His Royal Majesty, King Alfred Papapraye Diete Spiff, the former Governor of Rivers State and the Amayanabo of Twon Brass in Bayelsa State. He is a man whose commitment to the South-South and the nation as a whole has never been in doubt. He goes down in history as the first governor of Rivers State when that state included Bayelsa State. It is the sacrifices of men like him that bequeathed the States of the South-South to the people of that area. The duty of respect that we owe to a man like that demands that we take his intervention seriously.

We are appointed to explore ways of bringing the escalating political crisis in Rivers State to an end. This crisis has persisted for too long. If it continues any further, it will call into question the commitment of the parties involved to the interest of the people of Rivers State and of the nation that is compelled to share in the pains and anxieties of that State.
We cannot afford to stand by and do nothing or pass by on the other side as Rivers state, a state whose talents and resources have blessed and continue to bless the nation struggles with issues of political power. Let the parties involved not be as the Clam and the Oyster which left their abode in the depths of the sea and came to the sea shore to fight. They went on fighting even when they saw the fisherman coming. The fisherman picked them up, took them home and made a nice fine meal of Clam and Oyster. May it not be with Rivers State as it was with the Clam and the Oyster.

We trust that the Lord will touch the hearts of those to whom we address our appeal for peace and reconciliation. It is our firm conviction that this matter can be resolved amicably. That conviction is rooted in the fact that the parties to this dispute are one people who began as one. They played significant roles in assisting one another to the various offices that they hold now. If they have now offended one another, they must be humble enough to apologize and to forgive. It is in forgiving that true greatness can be found.

The resolution of this matter is something that the parties can handle their issues without the intervention of third parties. They must be willing to go the extra mile with one another, to turn the other cheek and to pray for one another. Let them not dismiss this as weak or sentimental as we often do when the name of the Lord is mentioned in politics or economics. The misconception that God has no place in our politics has harmed and continues to harm the nation. Whether we are governors or ministers or legislators, whoever we are, it is to God that we owe our appointments and promotions. Whether we are servants or slaves it is the Lord that we serve. And it is to him that we shall, in the end, render an account. We urge the parties to proceed with caution. We urge them to make allowance for error. We appeal to them to proceed with a prayer for forgiveness just in case they may be wrong.

The Minister, His Excellency, Nyesom Wike, is my friend. He is my benefactor. He is a man I love. He is a man I respect. I bear witness to his courage and patriotism. The work he did as Governor of Rivers State and the work he is doing as Minister of the FCT have since immortalized him. The mighty hand of God is upon him. That great Hand demands that he should lead this reconciliation. I say the same thing about His Excellency Governor Fubara. I happen to have been a member of the team that defended the petition that arose from his election as governor. That is my bond with him. I trust him to respect that bond.

In a nation as diverse as ours, discordant voices will be heard from time to time. In the midst of those discordant voices, the President can be trusted to recognize the clear ring of truth when he hears it. That is the whole essence of the Presidential system in vesting the President with all executive power which he is trusted to exercise in order to calm the nation down.

We have great respect for the members of the House of Assembly of Rivers State and we have no doubt whatsoever that their motives are genuine and patriotic. We pray for a change of heart on their part. It is in forgiving the Governor whatever wrongs he has committed that they will demonstrate their restraint, their public spirit and their maturity.

This Committee is not appointed to sit in judgment over the parties. We have no competence to do so. Our duty is to appeal to the parties to be reconciled with one to another, and we now do so. We appeal to the parties to embrace reconciliation. We urge them, we beg them, we appeal to them. Sacrifices are called for. Make them and let there be peace.
[1/14, 7:37 AM] Meta AI: *PANDEF RECONCILIATION COMMITTEE URGES PEACE IN RIVERS STATE*

Abuja, Nigeria – The PANDEF Reconciliation Committee, led by Chief Godwin Kanu Agabi, SAN, CON, has appealed to stakeholders in Rivers State to embrace reconciliation and end the escalating political crisis.

“We cannot afford to stand by and do nothing or pass by on the other side as Rivers state, a state whose talents and resources have blessed and continue to bless the nation, struggles with issues of political power,” Agabi said.

Agabi specifically appealed to Governor Siminalayi Fubara and former Governor Nyesom Wike, now Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, to lead the reconciliation effort.

“We urge the parties to proceed with caution, make allowance for error, and pray for forgiveness just in case they may be wrong,” Agabi said.

The committee also expressed respect for the members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, urging them to demonstrate restraint and public spirit by forgiving the Governor.

The statement concluded with an appeal to all parties to sacrifice their differences and work towards peace in Rivers State.