{"id":5273,"date":"2026-01-09T16:52:25","date_gmt":"2026-01-09T16:52:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/2026\/01\/09\/just-in-pandef-calls-for-restraint-and-mutual-forbearance-in-rivers-state-sets-up-high-level-chief-kanu-agabi-reconciliation-committee\/"},"modified":"2026-01-09T16:52:25","modified_gmt":"2026-01-09T16:52:25","slug":"just-in-pandef-calls-for-restraint-and-mutual-forbearance-in-rivers-state-sets-up-high-level-chief-kanu-agabi-reconciliation-committee","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/2026\/01\/09\/just-in-pandef-calls-for-restraint-and-mutual-forbearance-in-rivers-state-sets-up-high-level-chief-kanu-agabi-reconciliation-committee\/","title":{"rendered":"JUST IN: PANDEF Calls For Restraint And Mutual Forbearance In Rivers State, Sets Up High-Level Chief Kanu Agabi Reconciliation Committee"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

By Freeborn Abraye<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Board and National Executive Committee of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), the apex socio-political body representing the people of the South-South geopolitical zone, notes with very grave concern the recent spate of political developments in Rivers State. Regrettably, these developments have now degenerated into the decision of the Rivers State House of Assembly to commence impeachment proceedings against the Governor of the State and the Deputy Governor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  1. This is a deeply disturbing situation that demands urgent attention in order to forestall further escalation and breakdown of law and order. This concern is heightened by the critical importance and strategic centrality of Rivers State to the Niger Delta region and to the broader socio-political stability and economic wellbeing of Nigeria as a whole.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. In keeping with its non-partisan posture and its overarching role as a unifying and motherly platform for the region, PANDEF calls on all parties involved in the resurgent political imbroglio to sheathe the sword and embrace peace, guided by the principles of give-and-take, dialogue, tolerance, and political equanimity. All stakeholders must place paramount importance on peace, development, and the welfare of the people of Rivers State, as well as the interests of other citizens of the South-South, Nigerians at large, and the sizeable expatriate community resident in the State. We must now focus squarely on good governance and development of the state.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. PANDEF commends President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC), respected elders of Rivers State, and other well-meaning Nigerians for their previous and ongoing efforts aimed at restoring peace and stability in the State.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. However, in line with its long-standing tradition and proven record in peace-making and peace-building initiatives across the Niger Delta, PANDEF has constituted a high-level team of eminent Nigerians to intervene in the matter, as listed hereunder:<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    i. Chief Kanu Agabi, SAN, CON
    (Former Attorney-General of the Federation) \u2013 Chairman
    ii. Senator Obende Domingo
    (Former Senator, Edo North) \u2013 Vice Chairman
    iii. Rt Hon (Chief) Essien Nduese, CON, (Former Minister of Housing)
    iv. Dr. Timiebi Koripamo-Agari, OON
    (Retired Federal Permanent Secretary) \u2013 Member
    v. Chief Mike Ejiofor (RTD Director, Department of State Service), Member
    vi. Mrs. Nella Rabana-Andem, SAN
    (Former Attorney-General, Cross River State) \u2013 Member<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    vii. Prince Godwin Okotie
    (Deputy National Secretary, PANDEF) \u2013 Secretary<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \n
    1. PANDEF calls on all parties to fully cooperate with this distinguished and highly respected team of senior Nigerians and sons and daughters of the South-South zone, as they selflessly commit their time and experience to this arduous assignment, with the objective of achieving a peaceful, fair, and sustainable resolution through a dispassionate and inclusive process.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

      KING ALFRED DIETE-SPIFF, CFR
      AMANYANABO OF TWON-BRASS,
      CO-CHAIRMAN, BOT<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      OBONG (ARC) VICTOR ATTAH,
      FORMER GOVERNOR, AKWA STATE,
      CO-CHAIRMAN, BOT<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      AMB. (DR.) GODKNOWS BOLADEI IGALI, OON
      NATIONAL CHAIRMAN<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

      By Freeborn Abraye The Board and National Executive Committee of the Pan Niger Delta Forum…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":5272,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"JUST IN: PANDEF Calls For Restraint And Mutual Forbearance In Rivers State, Sets Up High-Level Chief Kanu Agabi Reconciliation Committee","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[13],"tags":[1776],"class_list":["post-5273","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","tag-just-in-pandef-calls-for-restraint-and-mutual-forbearance-in-rivers-state"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/img_6952.jpg?fit=732%2C419&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":5279,"url":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/2026\/01\/12\/rivers-politics-pandef-inaugurates-peace-and-reconciliation-committee-to-tackle-political-crisis-in-rivers-state\/","url_meta":{"origin":5273,"position":0},"title":"RIVERS POLITICS: PANDEF Inaugurates Peace And Reconciliation Committee To Tackle Political Crisis In Rivers State","author":"Freeborn Abraye","date":"January 12, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"By Freeborn Abraye The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has inaugurated a Peace and Reconciliation Committee in Abuja to address the lingering political crisis in Rivers State and forestall further escalation of tensions. The committee, constituted by the apex socio-political body of the South-South, is mandated to engage all parties\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/img_7033.jpg?fit=999%2C660&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/img_7033.jpg?fit=999%2C660&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/img_7033.jpg?fit=999%2C660&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/img_7033.jpg?fit=999%2C660&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":5325,"url":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/2026\/01\/29\/pandef-congratulates-rivers-state-governor-siminalayi-fubara-former-bayelsa-governor-sen-henry-seriake-dickson-on-their-birth-anniversaries\/","url_meta":{"origin":5273,"position":1},"title":"PANDEF Congratulates Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, Former Bayelsa Governor, Sen. Henry Seriake Dickson On Their Birth Anniversaries","author":"Freeborn Abraye","date":"January 29, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"By Freeborn Abraye CONGRATULATIONS TO GOVERNOR SIMINALAYI FUBARA AT 51 YEARS AND FORMER GOVERNOR (SENATOR) SERIAKE DICKSON AT 60 YEARS. Today, the Board of Trustees and National Executive Committee of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), join the national chorus to celebrate two of its very illustrious citizens, Governor Siminalayi\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/d5e55005-ae63-45dd-ab54-d5194998a0b5.jpg?fit=960%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/d5e55005-ae63-45dd-ab54-d5194998a0b5.jpg?fit=960%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/d5e55005-ae63-45dd-ab54-d5194998a0b5.jpg?fit=960%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/d5e55005-ae63-45dd-ab54-d5194998a0b5.jpg?fit=960%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":5283,"url":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/2026\/01\/14\/statement-by-pandef-reconciliation-committee-on-rivers-state-headed-by-chief-godwin-kanu-agabi-san-con-at-inauguration-on-12th-january-2026\/","url_meta":{"origin":5273,"position":2},"title":"STATEMENT BY PANDEF RECONCILIATION COMMITTEE ON RIVERS STATE HEADED BY CHIEF GODWIN KANU AGABI, SAN, CON AT INAUGURATION ON 12TH JANUARY, 2026","author":"Freeborn Abraye","date":"January 14, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"By Freeborn Abraye 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\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/img_7033.jpg?fit=999%2C660&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/img_7033.jpg?fit=999%2C660&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/img_7033.jpg?fit=999%2C660&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/img_7033.jpg?fit=999%2C660&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":5199,"url":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/2025\/12\/12\/pandef-mourns-death-of-bayelsa-state-deputy-governor-sen-lawrence-ewhrujiakpo-declares-three-days-mourning\/","url_meta":{"origin":5273,"position":3},"title":"PANDEF Mourns Death Of Bayelsa State Deputy Governor, Sen. Lawrence Ewhrujiakpo, Declares Three Days Mourning","author":"Freeborn Abraye","date":"December 12, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"By Freeborn Abraye The Board of Trustees and the National Executive Committee of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) received with shock the very painful news of the death of the Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, His Excellency Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, PhD, which occurred on Thursday, 11th December, 2025. PANDEF\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/875c440a-3cba-48c9-bc32-73cb391b70ca-1.jpg?fit=238%2C300&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":5445,"url":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/2026\/02\/15\/pandef-national-chairman-amb-boladei-igali-sends-good-will-message-to-bayelsa-state-governor-douye-diri-on-the-6th-year-anniversary-of-his-government\/","url_meta":{"origin":5273,"position":4},"title":"PANDEF National Chairman, Amb. Boladei Igali Sends Good-Will Message To Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri On The 6th Year Anniversary Of His Government","author":"Freeborn Abraye","date":"February 15, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"By Freeborn Abraye My dear brother and Excellency, Douye Diri, on this special day when the entire world is celebrating love and appreciation, I specially salute you and thank God for the 6th Anniversary of your mandate as Governor of Bayelsa State and leader of the South-South people. Your imprint\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/img_8184-2.jpg?fit=743%2C522&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/img_8184-2.jpg?fit=743%2C522&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/img_8184-2.jpg?fit=743%2C522&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/img_8184-2.jpg?fit=743%2C522&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":5249,"url":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/2026\/01\/02\/2026-let-us-prepare-for-a-new-dawn-of-peace-and-development___pandef-national-chairman-amb-godknows-igali-charge-people-of-south-south\/","url_meta":{"origin":5273,"position":5},"title":"2026: \u201cLet Us Prepare For A New Dawn Of Peace And Development\u201d___PANDEF National Chairman Amb. Godknows Igali Charge People Of South-South","author":"Freeborn Abraye","date":"January 2, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"By Freeborn Abraye As we step into the year 2026, the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) joins the entire people of the South-South geopolitical zone of Nigeria in giving thanks to God Almighty for the grace of a New Year. PANDEF also extends warm felicitations to our political leaders, traditional\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/75418687-036f-49fb-a4d1-68d36f549f70.jpg?fit=720%2C1080&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/75418687-036f-49fb-a4d1-68d36f549f70.jpg?fit=720%2C1080&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/75418687-036f-49fb-a4d1-68d36f549f70.jpg?fit=720%2C1080&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/75418687-036f-49fb-a4d1-68d36f549f70.jpg?fit=720%2C1080&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pfDfBE-1n3","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5273","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5273"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5273\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5272"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5273"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5273"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5273"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}