As Rivers State prepares for the return of Governor Siminalayi Fubara on September 18 following the six-month emergency rule in the state, the sole administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok Ete Ibas (retd), has defended his tenure, stating that he fulfilled President Bola Tinubu’s mandate and stabilised the oil-rich state.
However, the opposition parties called for an investigation into Iba’s tenure, particularly his management of the state’s resources during his six-month stay in Brick House.
The Peoples Democratic Party described Ibas’s six-month administration as a waste of time, declaring it unconstitutional, a violation of democratic norms, and demanding an investigation.
Meanwhile, the New Nigeria Peoples Party dismissed the entire six-month rule under Ibas as an exercise in futility, claiming it lacked legitimacy from the outset.
The Labour Party also criticised the emergency rule, alleging it was designed to protect the interests of President Tinubu and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, rather than those of the people.
In contrast to the opposition’s stance, the All Progressives Congress praised Ibas for maintaining peace and upholding the rights of citizens during his time as sole administrator.
The party lauded his efforts in ensuring that democratic processes, especially the conduct of local government elections, remained intact, describing his leadership as a stabilising force in a previously tense political environment.
Rivers State had been engulfed in political turmoil for nearly two years, largely due to a power tussle between former Governor Nyesom Wike and his successor, Siminalayi Fubara, which resulted in a prolonged governance deadlock.
In response to the crisis, President Tinubu declared a state of emergency on March 18 and appointed Ibas as the sole administrator to manage the state’s affairs during the period.
Two days later, on March 20, both the House of Representatives and the Senate endorsed the President’s declaration, effectively suspending Fubara and the Rivers State House of Assembly away on forced holidays despite widespread public criticism.
Objecting to what they considered an unconstitutional move, 11 PDP governors filed a case at the Supreme Court, registered as SC/CV/329/2025. However, there has been no public update on the matter since then.
Following the reconciliation between Wike and Fubara, the political climate in Rivers has eased.
The state held its local government elections on August 30, with the ruling All Progressives Congress securing 20 seats and the PDP winning the remaining three.
With a few days to the end of his tenure, the sole administrator commenced the transition process ahead of the President’s reinstatement of the suspended governor by September 18.
Thanksgiving service
Speaking at the Interdenominational Thanksgiving Service in Port Harcourt on Sunday ahead of Fubara’s return to power, the sole administrator urged political stakeholders to lay down their differences, emphasising that the progress and prosperity of Rivers State must take precedence over personal or party interests.
However, notable politicians in Rivers, including Wike and Fubara, were absent at the event. Aside from the Chairman of the Rivers State Council of Traditional Ruler, many monarchs in the state were visibly absent at the thanksgiving.
However, Permanent Secretaries, local government chairmen, heads of boards, agencies, parastatals and service commanders in the state graced the occasion.
Ibas, who had last week said he has ‘successfully achieved’ the mandate given to him by President Bola Tinubu in Rivers State.
Ibas noted that his administration has laid the foundation for reconciliation and called on the people to nurture that effort so it can firmly take root.
He also appealed to all stakeholders, including leaders, elders, politicians, and citizens, to always prioritise the state’s well-being above all else.
Ibas stated, “Six months ago, His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, declared a state of emergency in River State. At that moment, our beloved state stood at a crossroad, torn by divisions, instability, and broken trust. By God’s grace and with the support of Mr. President and all of you, we have worked through those difficult days together.
Emergency rule: Ibas defends six-month tenure as opposition demands probe
