Rivers state prepares for democratic governance – Details

THE Rivers State Government has announced the commencement of transition from emergency rule to democratic governance.

A statement by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Prof. Ibibia Lucky Worika, invited all critical stakeholders to a church service as part of the transition process.

Meanwhile, the development comes nearly six months after President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in the state.

Tinubu made the pronouncement in a nationwide broadcast on March 18, 2025.

The emergency rule was imposed at the height of the political crisis in the state, following a fallout between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his estranged political godfather, FCT Minister Nyesom Wike.

VAM News reported that the struggle for control of Rivers’ political resources led to an intense face-off between Wike and Fubara.

President Tinubu, in his broadcast, expressed deep concern over the political crisis in the state and accused Fubara of demolishing the State House of Assembly.

He subsequently announced the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu, for six months.

The President also suspended all elected members of the Rivers State House of Assembly and appointed Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd) as Administrator to oversee the state’s affairs.

However, Wike later reconciled with Fubara, and their reunion was made public during a visit to President Tinubu in June, after several months of hostilities between the two politicians.

Since then, Wike has taken control of the state’s political structure following the recently conducted Local Government Elections, in which his allies won all available seats.

However, with the emergency rule coming to its end, as part of the activities, an interdenominational church thanksgiving service will be held on Sunday at the Ecumenical Centre, Abonima Wharf Road, Port Harcourt.

The thanksgiving, scheduled for 10 a.m. at the Ecumenical Centre, will require all guests to be seated by 9:30 a.m.

According to the statement, those invited include permanent secretaries, local government chairmen, heads of security and paramilitary agencies, traditional rulers, chairmen and members of boards and governing councils, as well as captains of industry.

The statement also named the Rivers Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd), as the Special Guest of Honour.

It read: “The Government of Rivers State is pleased to invite 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 Industry, Government Officials, and invited guests to the Inter-Denominational Church Thanksgiving Service, as part of the transition activities to usher in democratic governance in Rivers State.”