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The Rivers State Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), has said that his administration succeeded in restoring peace and stability to the state despite operating under very difficult Read Our Last Post: Tears and Struggles: Family of 22-Year-Old Girl in Prison Battles Injustice, Loses Father, and Faces Burial Demands
Ibas made this known on Tuesday during a public lecture titled “Good Governance and Democratic Dividends” delivered by Prof. Abiodun Amuda-Kanmike, SAN, as part of the transition activities held at the Government House, Port Harcourt.
The former Chief of Naval Staff, who was appointed six months ago following the impeachment crisis, explained that his core mandate was to restore security and order in the state. “When we began this assignment on March 18, 2025, our core mandate was to restore peace and stability. By the grace of God and with the cooperation of all stakeholders, we have come this far,” Ibas said.
He pointed to the successful conduct of the August 30 local government elections as one of the major achievements of his administration, saying it returned democratic governance to the grassroots. According to him, emergency rule was never designed to be permanent but became a necessity due to the political crisis and insecurity that engulfed Rivers State at the time.
Ibas thanked the people of Rivers State for their support throughout his tenure, describing their resilience as a source of strength. “It reminded us that without God and the resilience of our people, this journey of my administration would have been impossible,” he said during a Thanksgiving service held on Sunday.
He urged Rivers people to put the interest of the state above personal ambitions while promoting tolerance, forgiveness, and reconciliation. He stressed that while more still needs to be done, the foundation for peace and democratic governance had already been laid. “The stability we have restored is the foundation upon which democracy is now rebuilt,” he said, adding that Rivers State must prove it can be a model of good governance in Nigeria.
The Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Ibibia Worika, and the guest lecturer, Prof. Abiodun Amuda-Kanmike, commended Ibas for his leadership, describing the transition as a defining moment and an example for other states to emulate.
