Following President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in the state on March 18, which suspended Fubara, his deputy, and every member of the Rivers State House of Assembly, this peace project attempts to alleviate the tensions that the political crisis has escalated.

Godknows Igali, the PANDEF Chairman, affirmed that the forum has set up a peace conference between the two political leaders.

Igali clarified during an appearance on Channels TV’s The Morning Brief that PANDEF had asked a southern governor who was not involved in the war to host the important conference.
“We are a body that was established to encourage communication, to support the rule of peace in the area, and to defend the people, of course,” he said. We are to go and discuss how we may resolve this issue peacefully, according to a template that has been set.

Igali pointed out that in the absence of a discussion opportunity, PANDEF would have adopted a more reactive strategy.

“PANDEF would have responded completely differently if that option had not been available,” he underlined, noting that the mediation process was already making encouraging strides.

Igali described the actions PANDEF made to help the two sides communicate, stating that both groups had previously opposed the forum and were unwilling to engage in discussions.

Now, though, things have changed, and both sides are more eager to reach an agreement.

The elders’ committee was able to communicate with both parties.

They encountered those who had a close relationship with the governor. They had two meetings with the governor himself. They then met with the minister of the federal capital territory’s closest associates, and both parties decided that, all right, let’s set up a neutral location for the meeting of the two principals,” Igali added.

Igali disclosed that, with the support of a southern governor, PANDEF had already chosen a neutral venue for the peace negotiations.

We had already begun the process of finding a location where they could meet in person. I can state that we had asked a southern governor who is not particularly involved in this issue to host, and he agreed,” he said.