{"id":5279,"date":"2026-01-12T19:49:00","date_gmt":"2026-01-12T19:49:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/2026\/01\/12\/rivers-politics-pandef-inaugurates-peace-and-reconciliation-committee-to-tackle-political-crisis-in-rivers-state\/"},"modified":"2026-01-12T19:59:08","modified_gmt":"2026-01-12T19:59:08","slug":"rivers-politics-pandef-inaugurates-peace-and-reconciliation-committee-to-tackle-political-crisis-in-rivers-state","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/2026\/01\/12\/rivers-politics-pandef-inaugurates-peace-and-reconciliation-committee-to-tackle-political-crisis-in-rivers-state\/","title":{"rendered":"RIVERS POLITICS: PANDEF Inaugurates Peace And Reconciliation Committee To Tackle Political Crisis In Rivers State"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong>By Freeborn Abraye<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">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.<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>The committee, constituted by the apex socio-political body of the South-South, is mandated to engage all parties involved in the dispute with a view to charting a sustainable pathway to lasting peace, political stability and the entrenchment of democratic order in the oil-rich state.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Speaking at the inauguration, PANDEF Chairman, Ambassador Godknows Igali, expressed concern over the rising political tension in Rivers State, warning that it poses a grave threat to democratic governance, regional peace and socio-economic development in the Niger Delta. He stressed that PANDEF would not fold its arms while political disagreements undermine stability in one of the most strategic states in the region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Igali charged members of the committee to discharge their duties with fairness, neutrality and sincerity, noting that dialogue remains the most effective instrument for resolving political conflicts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In his acceptance remarks, Chairman of the committee and former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN), described the assignment as a patriotic call to service.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWe have accepted this responsibility in the overriding interest of peace, justice and the future of Rivers State,\u201d Agabi said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>He assured that the committee\u2019s work would be inclusive and transparent, anchored on extensive consultations and dialogue aimed at prioritising the welfare of the people above political interests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><br \/>Also speaking, PANDEF Co-Chairman and Amanyanabo of Twon Brass Kingdom, HRM King Alfred Diette-Spiff, called on political actors in Rivers State to exercise restraint and embrace cooperation in the overall interest of the state. He emphasised that peace remains the foundation for development and progress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Other PANDEF leaders and elders present at the event echoed similar appeals, urging stakeholders in Rivers State to shun actions capable of plunging the state into instability.<br>PANDEF reaffirmed that the Peace and Reconciliation Committee would be guided by the principles of justice, equity and the collective interest of the people of Rivers State and the wider Niger Delta region.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>By Freeborn Abraye The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has inaugurated a Peace and Reconciliation&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":5280,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_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":"RIVERS POLITICS: PANDEF Inaugurates Peace And Reconciliation Committee To Tackle Political Crisis In Rivers State","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},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[13],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5279","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/img_7033.jpg?fit=999%2C660&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":5273,"url":"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\/","url_meta":{"origin":5279,"position":0},"title":"JUST IN: PANDEF Calls For Restraint And Mutual Forbearance In Rivers State, Sets Up High-Level Chief Kanu Agabi Reconciliation Committee","author":"Freeborn Abraye","date":"January 9, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"By Freeborn Abraye 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\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;News&quot;","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_6952.jpg?fit=732%2C419&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/img_6952.jpg?fit=732%2C419&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/img_6952.jpg?fit=732%2C419&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/img_6952.jpg?fit=732%2C419&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":5279,"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 &quot;News&quot;","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":5279,"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 &quot;News&quot;","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":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":5279,"position":3},"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 &quot;News&quot;","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":[]},{"id":898,"url":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/2021\/10\/26\/breaking-pandef-demands-increase-of-13-derivation-funds-to-50\/","url_meta":{"origin":5279,"position":4},"title":"BREAKING: PANDEF Demands Increase Of 13% Derivation Funds To 50%","author":"Coastal Times","date":"October 26, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"Coastal News Yenagoa_____The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has condemned a bill seeking to expunge Section 2, Subsection 2 of the 1999 Constitution, sponsored by 59 members of the House of Representatives from the Northern part of the Country.The group made this known following a communique issued at the end\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Opinion&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Opinion","link":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/opinion\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/screenshot_20211026-184314_chrome-1.jpg?fit=1080%2C1095&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/screenshot_20211026-184314_chrome-1.jpg?fit=1080%2C1095&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/screenshot_20211026-184314_chrome-1.jpg?fit=1080%2C1095&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/screenshot_20211026-184314_chrome-1.jpg?fit=1080%2C1095&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/screenshot_20211026-184314_chrome-1.jpg?fit=1080%2C1095&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"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":5279,"position":5},"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 &quot;News&quot;","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":[]}],"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pfDfBE-1n9","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5279","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=5279"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5279\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5281,"href":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5279\/revisions\/5281"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5280"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5279"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5279"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5279"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}