Rivers Crisis: Assembly refuses to meet with PANDEF Panel

Reports emerging from Rivers State say the State House of Assembly is not backing down on its impeachment threat against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu, over allegations of gross misconduct levelled against them by 26 lawmakers in the 32-member Assembly.

This followed the reported refusal of the legislators to grant an audience to the seven-member peace and reconciliation committee set up by the Pan Niger Delta Elders Forum (PANDEF), led by former Attorney General of the Federation, Kanu Agabi which arrived in Port Harcourt on Saturday

Though it was reported that the committee held “successful” meetings with the Rivers State Leaders/Elders Forum, chaired by former governor Rufus Ada George, and its deputy chairman, Gabriel Toby as well as met separately with the Rivers State Elders Council, led by Ferdinand Anabraba, a close ally of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, the effort by the peace panel to reach the Speaker of the House, Martin Amaewhule, proved abortive.

The reported refusal to engage the peace panel suggests that the lawmakers are bent on removing the governor, despite PANDEF being given two weeks to reconcile the warring parties and submit its report.