The Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (Rtd), has indicated that his mission to stabilise the state has been fulfilled and that he is preparing to hand over to the suspended democratic government led by Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
President Bola Tinubu had suspended Fubara, his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu, and other officials on March 18, 2025, declaring a six-month emergency rule which is scheduled to end on September 18.
Speaking on Friday during a visit by officials of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) to the Government House in Port Harcourt, Ibas stated that the presidential mandate given to him had been “decisively achieved.”
“Mr President’s mandate to me was clear: to stabilize the state, create an enabling environment for the re-establishment of its institutions, and return Rivers State back to full democratic governance. With the successful conduct and swearing-in of local government chairmen and their councils, I believe we have decisively achieved the mandate that we were given,” he said.
In line with the transition process, the Secretary to the State Government under the Ibas administration, Prof. Ibibia Worika, announced a transition thanksgiving service scheduled for Sunday, as part of activities to welcome back the suspended democratic government.
Meanwhile, civil society groups and political figures have begun setting expectations for the returning administration. Chairman of the Rivers State Civil Society Organisation, Enefaa Georgewill, described the emergency rule as illegal and called for an investigation into the state’s financial records during the six-month period.
“We will be expecting him and immediately investigate the financial record of Rivers State within these six months. A high-level powered committee should be set up to give us a run through of the resources of Rivers State,” Georgewill stated.
Chief Eze Chukwuemeka, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress in the state, expressed cautious optimism, noting that the emergency rule was intended to end on September 18. He urged stakeholders to ensure that the date is honoured and democratic governance restored without further delay.
The stage is now set for the return of elected governance in Rivers State, amid calls for accountability and a smooth transition following a period of political uncertainty.
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