Emergency rule: Why Tinubu appointed me – Ibas

Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Ibok Ibas, has said President Bola Tinubu appointed him to ensure stability of livelihoods for citizens and residents amid the political crisis in the oil-rich state. In a statewide broadcast in Port Harcourt, on Thursday night, he said his appointment comes at a difficult and consequential moment in history. He […]

Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Ibok Ibas, has said President Bola Tinubu appointed him to ensure stability of livelihoods for citizens and residents amid the political crisis in the oil-rich state.

In a statewide broadcast in Port Harcourt, on Thursday night, he said his appointment comes at a difficult and consequential moment in history.

He said the political impasse of nearly two years in Rivers had paralysed governance, desecrated democratic institutions, threatened security and undermined the economic and social fabric of the state.

He said the crisis had deepened divisions amongst the people and cast a shadow of uncertainty over the future.

“As a son of the Niger Delta, I am one of you. I recognize the weight of this moment, the expectations of the people and the challenges that lie ahead.”

“The uneasy calm that pervades the state is palpable and I feel the weight of families, young and old, businesses that have made both little and huge investments in Rivers State uncertain what the immediate future holds.

“Mr. President’s proactive and decisive action to declare a state of emergency and my subsequent appointment is primarily to ensure stability of livelihoods for citizens and residents.

“Restore peace, security and stability for economic activities to continue to thrive and avert any disruptions to the way of life of the people of Rivers State.

“My mandate is clear to restore law and order, stabilize the polity and to create the necessary conditions for the full restoration of democratic institutions and representation.

“This is not a task for one man alone. Success will depend on the collective effort of all Rivers people, elders, political leaders, traditional rulers, trade leaders, youths, women, the media and civil society.

“I do not come as a partisan actor nor as a competitor in the struggles that have brought us to this moment. I come as a servant of the state, entrusted with the solemn duty restoring peace and order so that Rivers State can move forward once again and reclaim its rightful place as the oil and gas capital of Nigeria and I dare say, Africa.

“My role here is to ensure that the lives and livelihoods of our people are not held hostage by crisis and instability. Governance is not a solitary endeavour. True stability and renewal requires the collective will of the people.

“I extend my hand to every son and daughter of Rivers State, regardless of political affiliation, ethnicity or creed. I urge you to remain law-abiding, peaceful and optimistic. Let us set aside our differences and work together to rebuild trust, restore stability and protect the future of our children.

“The challenges before us depend on unity not division, on cooperation not discord, on forward thinking not backward grievances. The commitment to unity, cooperation and dialogue must be the fulcrum of all engagements going forward.

“Destruction of national infrastructure in the name of agitation is something we in the Niger Delta have since put behind us. Through collective engagements, our people have become more aware of the collateral damage that comes with it.

“Not only does it deprive the government of enough resources to provide necessary critical infrastructure and services, the damage to the environment has left vast areas of the Niger Delta extensively devastated, affecting the health and livelihoods of our people.

“We must resist the temptation to return to those ugly days. Dialogue and honest engagement has proven time and time again as a veritable tool for resolving differences and conflicts of any kind.

“Let me be clear, under my leadership, civil liberties and fundamental human rights will be respected and protected. The rule of law will remain sacrosanct, however those who seek to sabotage the social or economic stability of Rivers State and national infrastructure and institutions within the state or who attempt to disrupt the peace for selfish or destructive ends, we’ll find no tolerance for their actions,” he said.

He said there would be no room for lawlessness, no space for violence and no patience for actions that threaten the collective well being of Rivers State, adding, “We will not act arbitrarily but neither will we hesitate to enforce the law where necessary.

“Let no one be in doubt, we will hold justice and fairness but we will also ensure that civil order prevails. I have just concluded my inaugural state security meeting and taken additional briefs from heads of security agencies in the state. I have noted various reports, initiatives and concerns. Some of which I have given clear directives on specific actions.

“I have specifically charged them to remain neutral, respect the rights of citizens and do all within their powers to maintain law and order, while collectively working to de-escalate tensions where they come in contact with such.”

He said in the coming days, he would move with deliberate speed to articulate a pragmatic roadmap for the next six months to ensure that every government bureaucracy is properly functioning and agencies providing services to citizens and residents were doing so, and engage stakeholders as mandated by the President.