Retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, the Sole Administrator of Rivers State, has reflected on his six-month tenure, declaring that he restored stability in the state under what he described as “extraordinary circumstances.”
Speaking at a public lecture on Tuesday in Port Harcourt, themed “Good Governance and Democratic Dividends” and delivered by Prof. Abiodun Amuda-Kanmike, SAN, Ibas said the August 30 local government elections marked a decisive return of democratic governance to the grassroots.
Mandate and Achievements
Ibas, who assumed office on March 18, 2025, said his core mandate was to restore peace and security after a period of political impasse and rising insecurity.
“Emergency rule was never a choice; it was a necessity,” he said. “By the grace of God and with the cooperation of all stakeholders, we have come this far.”
He described the peaceful conduct of the local council elections as the administration’s most significant milestone, arguing it restored governance to the level closest to the people.
Lessons from Emergency Rule
Reflecting on his stewardship, Ibas said the experience offered enduring lessons:
That peace is priceless and without security no development is possible.
That governance vacuums invite opportunism which threatens lives and livelihoods.
That the resilience of Rivers people remains unbreakable.
“They endured, they persevered, and they remained steadfast. The stability we restored is the foundation upon which democracy is now rebuilt,” he added.
Call for Reconciliation
Ibas urged Rivers people to put the state above personal ambition, stressing the need for tolerance, forgiveness, and reconciliation to sustain peace.
“Governance must always be rooted in service. Democracy must deliver dividends that reach every household,” he said.
The Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Ibibia Worika, commended Ibas’ interim administration and described the lecture as timely. Guest lecturer Prof. Amuda-Kanmike added that Rivers’ experience should serve as a lesson to other Nigerian states facing similar crises.
