September 13, (THEWILL) — The Rivers State Government has formally commenced the transition from emergency rule to democratic governance, announcing an interdenominational church thanksgiving service as part of the activities.
In a statement on Saturday, the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Prof. Ibibia Lucky Worika, invited key stakeholders across the state to participate in the thanksgiving service scheduled for Sunday, at the Ecumenical Centre, Abonnema Wharf Road, Port Harcourt. Guests are expected to be seated by 9:30 a.m. for the 10:00 a.m. event.
According to the statement, those invited include permanent secretaries, local government chairmen, heads of state security and paramilitary agencies, traditional rulers, chairmen and members of state boards, captains of industry and other stakeholders.
The SSG named Rivers Administrator, Vice-Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd), as the Special Guest of Honour.
“The Government of Rivers State is pleased to invite … stakeholders to the Inter-Denominational Church Thanksgiving Service, as part of transition activities to usher in Democratic Governance in Rivers State”, he said.
The thanksgiving service is expected to signal a new chapter for Rivers State after months of emergency rule, which had attracted national attention and intense political debate.
Observers say the transition to democratic governance will pave the way for return of the suspended governor, Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Professor Ngozi Odu, and the 32-member House of Assembly to office on September 18.
President Bola Tinubu, had, on March 18, declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, citing prolonged political instability, constitutional breaches, and security threats as reasons for the extraordinary measure. This followed an emergency meeting with security and intelligence chiefs at the Aso Rock Villa earlier that day.
Vice Admiral Ibok-Étè Ibas (retd.) was appointed as the sole administrator to oversee the state’s affairs until normalcy is restored. Ibas served as Chief of Naval Staff from 2015 to 2021 under former President Muhammadu Buhari.
The Rivers crisis, he said, paralysed governance in the oil-rich state. It was the high point of a months-long power tussle between Fubara and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.
The action of the President was aimed at addressing escalating political and security challenges in the oil-rich region, following the increasing tensions between Fubara and various political factions, including former allies like Wike.
According to the president, “The state has been at a standstill since the crisis started, with the good people of the state not being able to have access to the dividends of democracy”
The President expressed concern over vandalism by militants, allegedly acting in support of Fubara. The incidents occurred amid frantic efforts by the Tinubu administration to increase Nigeria’s lagging crude oil output and curb leaks.
An explosion rocked a section of the Trans Niger Pipeline in the Bodo Community of Gonna Local Government Area in Rivers State, a day before Tinubu imposed emergency rule. Another explosion severed a pipeline manifold in the Omwawriwa axis of Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area of the State, the next day.
The Rivers political turmoil escalated in December 2023 after Fubara demolished the state’s House of Assembly complex, leading to a prolonged battle over the legitimacy of the legislative arm. It worsened when 27 lawmakers loyal to Wike defected from the PDP to the APC, prompting legal disputes over their status.
On February 28, 2025, the Supreme Court ruled that the lawmakers remained valid members of the Assembly. It also faulted Fubara’s actions as being unconstitutional and despotic.
The verdict noted that the state had collapsed into one-man rule due to the absence of a functioning legislature. Despite the ruling, governance remained stalled, with the executive and legislature at loggerheads.
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