With the emergency rule in Rivers State coming to an end soon, Administrator Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (Rtd) has begun the official transition to democratic governance. The Administrator was appointed to serve for six months. The emergency administration, through Secretary to the State Government Professor Lucky Worika, announced that the process is scheduled to start
With the emergency rule in Rivers State coming to an end soon, Administrator Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (Rtd) has begun the official transition to democratic governance. The Administrator was appointed to serve for six months.
The emergency administration, through Secretary to the State Government Professor Lucky Worika, announced that the process is scheduled to start on Sunday, September 14, 2025. An inter-denominational thanksgiving service is planned at the Ecumenical Centre, Abonnima Wharf Road, Port Harcourt, on September 18 to mark six months since the commencement of the administration.
The statement notes that the service scheduled to take place at the Ecumenical in Port Harcourt is anticipated to have attendees, including permanent secretaries, local government chairmen, security chiefs, traditional rulers, industry leaders, and other invited dignitaries.
The statement reads: “The Government of Rivers State is pleased to invite Permanent Secretaries, Local Government Chairmen, Heads of State Security and Para-Military Agencies, Traditional Rulers, Chairmen and Members of Boards and Governing Councils, Captains of Industry, Government Officials, and guests to the Inter-Denominational Church Thanksgiving Service, as part of the transition activities to usher in democratic governance in Rivers State.”
Earlier, Rivers State’s sole administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (Rtd) stated that the mandate assigned to him by President Bola Tinubu following the declaration of a state of emergency in the state has since been fulfilled. He noted that the local government elections were conducted, and democratic governance was restored at the grassroots level.
Ibas stated on Friday at Port Harcourt in the Government House, while formally receiving the report of the local government elections conducted by the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission, that his appointment by President Bola Tinubu on March 18, 2025, was intended to stabilise the state, re-establish its institutions, and restore democratic governance in Rivers.
“Mr. President’s mandate to me was clear: to stabilise the state, create an enabling environment for the re-establishment of its institutions, and return Rivers State 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,” Ibas stated.
On March 18, 2025, President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, resulting in the suspension of Governor Sim Fubara, Deputy Governor Mrs. Ngozi Odu, and the House of Assembly for an initial period of six months.
In a national broadcast, the President nominated Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (Rtd) as Administrator to oversee the affairs of Rivers State. The State of Emergency rule was ratified by the National Assembly.
The declaration of emergency rule followed an extended political dispute between the governor and his predecessor, Chief Nyesom Wike, who is now Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.
Political developments in the state resulted in the burning of the House of Assembly complex, as well as legal disputes between the suspended governor and lawmakers who support Chief Nysome Wike. The situation has also created uncertainty regarding the local government elections, which were declared null and void by the Supreme Court.
There have been reports of explosions at state oil facilities, threatening the economy and potentially affecting 2025 budget revenue projections if they continue.
As a result, the President maintained that his order was intended to protect the people of the state and prevent further breakdowns in law and order.
However, numerous Nigerians criticised the President’s decision to suspend the state’s sitting and elected governor, viewing it as an overreach of executive authority.
There are no pronouncements yet from the presidency about the resumption of the elected officials and the process of the takeover of power will take.
