Rivers State is caught between transition and uncertainty as Rear Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd) formally handed over to Governor Siminalayi Fubara, who has been reinstated after six months of emergency rule.
In his farewell state-wide broadcast on Wednesday, Ibas expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for entrusting him with the responsibility of stabilising the state. He highlighted restored law and order, successful local government elections, reconstituted statutory boards, and the passage of a state budget by the National Assembly as major milestones during his tenure.
“My dear citizens of Rivers State, it’s with gratitude in my heart and humility in my spirit that I address you today for the final time as administrator of our beloved state. Law and order has been restored, elections have been conducted, and governance has returned to normalcy. Now, as I hand back the reins to Sim Fubara, I urge all Rivers people to support him wholeheartedly,” Ibas said.
He warned that unchecked rivalry can endanger democracy, urging citizens to embrace dialogue, tolerance, and collective responsibility in order to sustain stability.
President Tinubu suspended Fubara earlier this year while declaring emergency rule following escalating insecurity and political gridlock in the state. With the lifting of the emergency rule, expectations were high for Fubara’s immediate return to Port Harcourt.
However, as of Thursday morning, his exact whereabouts remain unknown, sparking unease among residents. Arise Television correspondent Friday Olokor reported that while the atmosphere in Port Harcourt remains calm, the absence of the governor has created a leadership vacuum.
The state House of Assembly, still divided into rival factions, is holding parallel meetings. Analysts fear the divisions could deepen governance challenges if reconciliation efforts fail.
“The people of Rivers have suffered enough. Leadership must not remain in a vacuum. Both factions must come together and ensure the state moves forward,” Olokor observed, stressing that the public continues to bear the brunt of prolonged political crises.
Despite the uncertainty, Rivers residents appear cautiously hopeful that Governor Fubara will resume office soon and steer the state out of its turbulent period.
