Rivers: Ibas begins process of handing over to Fubara

By Ayorinde Oluokun

Democratic governance is set to return to Rivers State with the with the commence of process of vacation of office by the administration appointed by President Bola Tinubu, Vice-Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd).

Ibas signified this on Saturday with the announcement of transition activities which include a interdenominational church thanksgiving service that would be held on Sunday.

The Church service was announced in a statement by the Secretary to State Government (SSG), Prof. Ibibia Lucky Worika.

According to the statement, the thanksgiving is to hold at the Ecumenical Centre, Abonima Wharf Road, Port Harcourt at 10am with all guests asked to be seated by 9:30am.

Permanent secretaries, local government chairmen, heads of state security, paramilitary agencies, traditional rulers, Chairmen and members of boards among others were invited to the church service where Ibas will be the Special Guest of Honour.

The statement said: “The Government of Rivers State is pleased to invite the Permanent Secretaries, Local Government Chairmen, Heads of State Security and Para-Military Agencies, Traditional Rulers, Chairmen and members of Boards and Governing Councils, Captains of industries, Government Officials and invited guests to the Inter-Denominational Church Thanksgiving Service, as part of transition activities to usher in Democratic Governance in Rivers State”.

I have achieved my mandate

Recall that Ibas had on Friday also indicated that he has achieved he mandate given to him by President Bola Tinubu when he was appointed administrator of the state on March 18, 2025.

He recalled that the President had directed him to stabilise the state, re-establish its institutions, and return Rivers to full democratic governance following his appointment as sole administrator.

He said this has been partially achieved with the recent local government election in the state.

The administrator spoke during the presentation of the report on the recently concluded local government elections by the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) to him.

According to him, the successful conduct of the polls and the swearing-in of elected chairmen and councillors across the 23 local government areas marked the fulfilment of that mandate.

“Mr. President’s mandate to me was clear: to stabilise the state, create an enabling environment for the re-establishment of its institutions, and return Rivers State back to full democratic governance. With the successful conduct and swearing-in of local government chairmen and their councils, I believe we have decisively achieved the mandate that we were given,” Ibas stated.

Fubara to be reinstated

Recall that the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike had also given indication that the suspended Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, will be reinstated on September 18.

Wike revealed this about three weeks ago after casting his vote during the Rivers local government election.