The Rivers State Government has formally announced the commencement of activities marking the transition from the subsisting emergency administration to the restoration of democratic governance.
According to a statement issued on Saturday by the Secretary to the State Government, Ibibia Worika, the programme will include an inter-denominational thanksgiving service scheduled for Sunday, to be held at the Ecumenical Centre, Abonima Wharf Road, Port Harcourt. The service is intended as part of the symbolic and institutional process of returning the State to constitutional rule.
Worika, in the official communication, invited critical stakeholders across the State to participate. Those expected include Permanent Secretaries, Local Government Chairmen, the heads of State security and paramilitary agencies, Traditional Rulers, Chairmen and Members of Boards and Governing Councils, Captains of Industry, and other government officials. Guests are expected to be seated by 9:30 a.m., with the service commencing at 10:00 a.m. The Rivers State Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (Rtd.), who has overseen the State during the emergency period, is designated as the Special Guest of Honour.
The statement noted: “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.”
The announcement follows the emergency proclamation of March 18, 2025, by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, pursuant to which Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu, and the elected members of the Rivers State House of Assembly were suspended for an initial six-month period.
The proclamation, made under the President’s constitutional powers, was necessitated by a deep political crisis within the State, arising primarily from conflict between Governor Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, now Minister of the Federal Capital Territory. Key flashpoints included the demolition of the House of Assembly complex in 2023, disputes over legislative membership and legitimacy, and governance paralysis. The Supreme Court subsequently described aspects of the Governor’s conduct toward the legislature as “despotic” and indicative of “no functioning government” in Rivers State.
Security concerns further exacerbated the crisis, with allegations of pipeline vandalism by militants and escalating instability in critical infrastructure.
In response, President Tinubu appointed Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (Rtd.) as Sole Administrator of the State, with the judiciary left intact, in order to preserve constitutional order and protect the rule of law. The Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, subsequently defended the proclamation, asserting that it was both lawful and necessary to avert total governance collapse.
With the expiration of the emergency period, the State has now commenced formal transition activities to restore full democratic institutions and constitutional governance.#newsafro_
