Our Correspondent | Politics
Port Harcourt – After six months of federal stewardship, Rivers State returned to democratic control on Thursday as Rear Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.) formally handed over power to Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
Ibas, appointed in March by President Bola Tinubu as Sole Administrator at the height of Rivers’ political crisis, declared that “law and order had been restored” and urged citizens to rally behind Fubara’s leadership.
A Season of Political Turmoil
The handover draws the curtain on a dramatic period in the oil-rich state, where protracted political rivalries had paralysed governance and threatened security. Tinubu’s declaration of a State of Emergency dissolved political structures, paving the way for Ibas to stabilise the polity.
In his farewell remarks, Ibas reflected on the fragility of power and institutions:
“The exercise of power without restraint can cripple institutions, and rivalry without dialogue clearly endangers democracy,” he said, warning that Rivers’ recent turmoil must stand as a lesson in political maturity.
Milestones Under Interim Rule
During his six-month tenure, Ibas oversaw the conduct of local government elections, the reconstitution of statutory boards, and the passage of the state budget through the National Assembly. He praised security operatives for maintaining peace and credited the resilience of Rivers’ citizens for weathering the crisis.
Fubara’s Return: A Test of Unity
With full powers now restored, Governor Fubara faces the delicate task of consolidating political authority and steering the state back towards stability. Ibas called on Rivers people to give their governor “wholehearted support,” stressing that leadership and followership must remain a shared responsibility.
“No matter how competent and no matter how clear your vision may be, it can only come to fruition with the active support of citizens,” he said.
Tinubu’s Calculated Move
President Tinubu’s decision to end the State of Emergency signals confidence in the restoration of order but also places Rivers firmly in the national spotlight. The state’s strategic importance—both as Nigeria’s oil hub and a political powerhouse—ensures that Fubara’s leadership will be closely scrutinised in the months ahead.
The Road Ahead
As Rivers transitions back to democratic governance, questions linger about whether the fragile peace will hold. Ibas’s valedictory words struck both a hopeful and cautionary note:
“May this state never again be brought to the brink of collapse. May we always choose unity over division, dialogue over discord, and progress over paralysis.”
The coming weeks will test whether Rivers has truly turned a corner—or if the fractures of the past will resurface.