The Sole Administrator of Rivers State, retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, has reflected on his six-month stewardship, saying he was able to restore stability in the state under very challenging conditions.
Ibas noted that while significant progress has been made, sustaining peace will require more effort, especially as the August 30 local government elections have now brought democratic governance back to the grassroots.
He made these remarks on Tuesday during a public lecture titled ‘Good Governance and Democratic Dividends’, delivered by Prof. Abiodun Amuda-Kanmike, SAN, as part of activities marking the state’s transition at Government House, Port Harcourt.
Expressing appreciation, the administrator thanked Rivers people for their cooperation and support throughout his tenure, stressing that he had fulfilled the presidential mandate to restore peace and security in the state.
According to Ibas, the public lecture was not merely academic but also served as a reaffirmation of his administration’s pact with Rivers people.
He said, “As a nation, our democracy must deliver, and that governance must always be rooted in service.”
Ibas added, “Standing before you, we feel gratitude and humility; gratitude for the support you gave me as your administrator and humility that I was called to serve in such a defining moment in the history of this great 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.”
Reflecting on the journey, Ibas pointed to the conduct of the local government elections as a milestone achievement saying, “Most significantly was the peacefully conducted local government council elections restored democratic governance to the grassroots, the level of government closest to the people.
“Emergency rule was never a choice; it was a necessity brought upon us by insecurity, political impasse, and breakdown of trust.
“Yet in hindsight, it offered us enduring lessons that peace is priceless, without security, no other aspiration is possible; that when governance is weakened, opportunism fills the vacuum, endangering lives and livelihoods, and that the indomitable spirit of Rivers people cannot be broken.
“They endured. They persevered and have remained steadfast. The stability we have restored is the foundation upon which democracy is now rebuilt,” he said.
Speaking further, Ibas charged Rivers people to place the state above personal ambition, commit to tolerance, forgiveness, and reconciliation to “consciously work at building trust among each other and to ensure that the dividends of democracy reach households.”
In his goodwill remarks, the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Ibibia Worika, described the lecture as timely, noting that it coincided with the transition back to democratic governance.
He commended the people of Rivers for supporting the interim administration.
On his part, the Guest Lecturer, Prof. Amuda-Kanmike, SAN, emphasized that the Rivers State experience should serve as a lesson to other states across Nigeria.