Rear Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd), the sole administrator of Rivers State, has now officially passed the baton to Governor Siminalayi Fubara, bringing his emergency six-month assignment to an end.
During a final broadcast to the state, Ibas thanked the people of Rivers State for their patience and cooperation. He stated that he was appointed by President Bola Tinubu during what he called ‘a difficult and extraordinary time in the history of Rivers State.
He highlighted some of the achievements by indicating that law and order had returned, local government elections were held, and statutory boards were working. He also indicated that, ‘the emergency administration passed the Rivers State budget without cutting any proposals in it, thereby continuing in the tradition of continuity of budgetary approvals by the state legislature’.
In light of all that happened, Ibas then warned against political power going unchecked because it diminishes institutions and is detrimental to democracy. He warned that a rivalry without dialogue can destabilise governance, and leaders must use civil discourse and dialogue.
The outgoing administrator then thanked civil servants, security agencies, traditional rulers, and all citizens for their support. In Ibas’ mind, ‘there is no leadership, if citizens, or institutions do not work together in the pursuit of stability and progress’.
With the handover, Governor Fubara, the deputy, and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly are now fully back to their constitutional duties. The state of emergency, which was declared on March 18, has finally come to an end.
With a return to democratic governance, this has brought relief to many citizens following months of tension in the state.
This transition marks a new beginning for Rivers State, and whether or not it leads to stability and growth will be determined to a large extent by Fubara and all stakeholders’ ability to put aside rivalries and collaborate to efficiently provide tangible services to the people.
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