Rivers Crisis: “What I Met When Tinubu Appointed Me as Sole Administrator” Ibas Opens Up
- Vice Admiral (Rtd) Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas is set to hand over to the suspended governor, Sim Fubara, as Rivers state governor
- Ibas explained what he met on the ground when President Bola Ahmed Tinubu appointed him as the sole Administrator
- Tinubu appointed Ibas after suspending Fubara and declaring a state of emergency in Rivers state for six months
Legit.ng journalist Adekunle Dada has over 8 years of experience covering metro, government policy, and international issues
Port Harcourt, Rivers state - The sole administrator, Vice Admiral (Rtd) Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, said Rivers state was "torn by divisions, instability, and broken trust” when President Bola Ahmed Tinubu appointed him.
Ibas stated that he has deliberately sown seeds of love and peace in Rivers state in the past six months.
Source: Twitter
As reported by Daily Trust, he stated this while speaking during the Inter-Denominational Church Thanksgiving Service at the Ecumenical Centre in Port Harcourt,
The Thanksgiving Service was organised as part of official events marking Rivers state’s transition back to democratic governance.
The sole administrator noted that Rivers state was “torn by divisions, instability, and broken trust” before the intervention of President Bola Tinubu.
He urged Rivers people to forge a united path toward peace and sustainable development.
While recounting the profound challenges the state faced, he said:
“By God’s grace, and with the support of Mr. President and all of you, we have walked through those difficult days together, the survival and relative stability we enjoy today is a testimony of God’s faithfulness.
“Political actors must sheath their swords, because no political victory or personal gain is worth the blood of any Rivers citizen.
“The progress and prosperity of Rivers State must be placed above personal or partisan interest. Politics must never be an excuse to destroy the very state we are called to serve.
“The youth should not avail themselves to be used as instruments of violence but to instead channel their energies into building a peaceful and prosperous state.
Source: Facebook
Analyst questions Rivers’ sole-administrator model
A political analyst, Tobi Olukoya, has cast doubt on Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas’ portrayal of his six-month stewardship in Rivers state as a stabilising force.
His reaction comes after Ibas defended his role in restoring order during the crisis, a period marked by disputed local government elections and ongoing debates about whether federal intervention results from security necessity or political maneuvering.
He told Legit.ng that,
“While Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas portrays his short stewardship as a stabilising intervention, critics see the process as an extension of emergency rule rather than a return to participatory governance.”
Wike, Fubara Shun Ibas’ Farewell Thanksgiving Service
Recall that Legit.ng reported that all is set for the suspended governor of Rivers state, Siminalayi Fubara, and his deputy, Mrs. Ngozi Odu, to return to their elected position.
This is as Ibas called on political actors in the state to prioritise the peace of the state over partisan politics.
In an interesting twist, Ibas held a Thanksgiving service to aid the transition to democratic governance in Rivers; however, FCT minister Nyesom Wike and Fubara were noticeably absent.
Ibas releases statement as Fubara set to return
In a previous story, Legit.ng reported that Ibas (retd.) declared that President Tinubu’s mandate to stabilise the state and restore democracy was achieved.
Ibas commended RSIEC for conducting transparent local government elections and promised a government review of the report, with a white paper to follow.
RSIEC Chairman Dr Mike Odey hailed the polls as a “historic achievement,” noting they were concluded within 30 days, a first in Nigeria’s electoral history.
Editorial assistant Ololade Olatimehin provided exclusive commentary from a political analyst for this report.
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Proofreading by James Ojo, copy editor at Legit.ng.
Source: Legit.ng
Adekunle Dada (Politics and Current Affairs Editor) Adekunle Dada is a trained journalist with over 8 years of working experience. He is also a Politics/Current Affairs Editor at Legit.ng. He holds a B.Sc. in Mass Communication from Lagos State University, Ojo. Adekunle previously worked at PM News, The Sun, and Within Nigeria, where he expressed his journalistic skills with well-researched articles and features. In 2024, Adekunle obtained a certificate in advanced digital reporting from the Google News Initiative. He can be reached via adekunle.dada@corp.legit.ng.
Dr Abubakar Sani (Public affairs and security analyst) Dr Abubakar Sani is a public affairs and security analyst. He is an SSA to former Army Chief, T.Y Buratai. He is a Certified Anti-Terrorism Specialist (CAS) and a researcher of international repute.
