Ibas: Rivers Emergency Rule wasn’t a Choice but Necessity
The outgoing Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (Rtd), says the state of emergency declared in the state was necessary. On March 18, 2025, President Bola Tinubu declared emergency rule over political impasse in the state Speaking during a Public Lecture titled ‘Good Governance and Democratic Dividends’ delivered by Prof. Abiodun Amuda-Kanmike, […]
The outgoing Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (Rtd), says the state of emergency declared in the state was necessary.
On March 18, 2025, President Bola Tinubu declared emergency rule over political impasse in the state
Speaking during a Public Lecture titled ‘Good Governance and Democratic Dividends’ delivered by Prof. Abiodun Amuda-Kanmike, SAN, as part of the transition activities held in Government House, Port Harcourt, on Tuesday, Ibas said stability was restored in the state under extraordinary circumstances.
He added that much needed to be done to sustain the peace, especially as the foundation had been laid with the successful conduct of the August 30th local government elections.
He said the public lecture was more than an intellectual exercise, describing it as a covenant renewal with the people.
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Ibas thanked the people of Rivers for the support and cooperation given to him in the last six months.
He stated that thanksgiving held last Sunday was significant, because it reminded the people that without God and the resilience of the people, the journey of his administration would have been impossible.
He said: “Most significantly was the peacefully conducted local government council elections, which restored democratic governance to the grassroots, the level of government closest to the people. Emergency rule was never a choice; it was a necessity brought upon us by insecurity, political impasse, and breakdown of trust.
“As a nation, our democracy must deliver, and that governance must always be rooted in service.
“Standing before you, we feel with gratitude and humility; gratitude for the support you gave me as your administrator and humility that I was called to serve in such a defining moment in the history of this great state.
“When we began this assignment on March 18, 2025, our core mandate was to restore peace and stability. By the grace of God and with the cooperation of all stakeholders, we have come this far.
“Yet in hindsight, it offered us enduring lessons that peace is priceless, without security, no other aspiration is possible; that when governance is weakened, opportunism fills the vacuum, endangering lives and livelihoods, and that the indomitable spirit of Rivers people cannot be broken.
“They endured. They persevered and have remained steadfast. The stability we have restored is the foundation upon which democracy is now rebuilt,” he said.
The Guest Lecturer said as the Ibas-led administration is transiting, it should serve as a period of sober reflection to the people of the state.
He argued that the case of Rivers should be an example for other states in the country.