Ibas says peace was restored under tough conditions
Retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, the Sole Administrator of Rivers State, says he has fulfilled his mandate of restoring peace and stability during his six-month interim tenure, despite working under challenging political and security conditions.
Speaking at a public lecture on Tuesday titled “Good Governance and Democratic Dividends”, Ibas said his administration was able to prevent total breakdown and guide the state back to democratic rule with the peaceful conduct of the August 30 local government elections.
Emergency rule was never the goal, says Ibas
Reflecting on the circumstances that led to his appointment on March 18, 2025, Ibas stated that emergency rule in Rivers State was a last resort, not a preference. He described it as a response to “insecurity, political impasse, and a breakdown of trust.”
“Peace is priceless. Without security, no other aspiration is possible,” he said.
“Where governance is weakened, opportunism fills the vacuum, endangering lives and livelihoods.”
Local elections a turning point
Ibas described the grassroots elections as a major success of his tenure, noting that they marked the return of democratic governance to the level closest to the people.
“The stability we have restored is the foundation upon which democracy is now rebuilt,” he said.
He also thanked the people of Rivers for their resilience, patience, and support during the transitional period, emphasizing the importance of unity, tolerance, and reconciliation going forward.
Governance must deliver real results, Ibas says
Ibas stressed that governance must be rooted in service, not just political power.
“As a nation, our democracy must deliver,” he said.
“This lecture is more than an academic event—it reaffirms our social contract with the people.”
He encouraged Rivers residents to put the state’s interests above personal ambition and ensure that democratic dividends reach every household.
Transition gets national attention
Prof. Ibibia Worika, Secretary to the State Government, said the lecture was both timely and symbolic, coming just as Rivers transitions back to civilian rule.
The guest lecturer, Prof. Abiodun Amuda-Kanmike, SAN, urged other Nigerian states to draw lessons from the Rivers experience, stressing that restoring peace and governance should always be a shared national priority.
