I restored stability in Rivers under extraordinary circumstances – Ibas

The Sole Administrator of Rivers State, retired Vice AdmiralIbok-Ete Ibas, has reflected on his six-month stewardship, saying he was ableto restore stability in the state under very challenging conditions. Ibas noted that while significant progress has been made,sustaining peace will require more effort, especially as the August 30 localgovernment elections have now brought democratic governance back to thegrassroots. He made these remarks on Tuesday during a public lecturetitled ‘Good Governance and Democratic Dividends’, delivered by Prof. AbiodunAmuda-Kanmike, SAN, as part of activities marking the state’s transition atGovernment House, Port Harcourt. Expressing appreciation, the administrator thanked Riverspeople for their cooperation and support throughout his tenure, stressing thathe had fulfilled the presidential mandate to restore peace and security in thestate. According to Ibas, the public lecture was not merelyacademic but also served as a reaffirmation of his administration’s pact withRivers people. He said, “As a nation, our democracy must deliver, and thatgovernance must always be rooted in service.” Ibas added, “Standing before you, we feel gratitude andhumility; gratitude for the support you gave me as your administrator andhumility that I was called to serve in such a defining moment in the history ofthis great state. “When we began this assignment on March 18, 2025, our coremandate was to restore peace and stability. By the grace of God and with thecooperation of all stakeholders, we have come this far.” Reflecting on the journey, Ibas pointed to the conduct ofthe local government elections as a milestone achievement saying, “Mostsignificantly was the peacefully conducted local government council electionsrestored democratic governance to the grassroots, the level of governmentclosest to the people. “Emergency rule was never a choice; it was a necessitybrought upon us by insecurity, political impasse, and breakdown of trust. “Yet in hindsight, it offered us enduring lessons that peaceis priceless, without security, no other aspiration is possible; that whengovernance is weakened, opportunism fills the vacuum, endangering lives andlivelihoods, 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 nowrebuilt,” he said. Speaking further, Ibas charged Rivers people to place thestate above personal ambition, commit to tolerance, forgiveness, andreconciliation to “consciously work at building trust among each other and toensure that the dividends of democracy reach households.” In his goodwill remarks, the Secretary to the StateGovernment, Prof. Ibibia Worika, described the lecture as timely, noting thatit coincided with the transition back to democratic governance. He commended the people of Rivers for supporting the interimadministration. On his part, the Guest Lecturer, Prof. Amuda-Kanmike, SAN,emphasized that the Rivers State experience should serve as a lesson to otherstates across Nigeria.

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