By Attah Ede
The Rivers State Government on Saturday, formally commenced return from emergency rule to democratic governance
As part of the transition activities, the State government announced that it would hold an interdenominational church thanksgiving service on Sunday.
This was contained in a statement issued on Saturday by the Secretary to State Government (SSG), Prof. Ibibia Lucky Worika.
Prof. Worika who used the opportunity to invite all critical stakeholders for the service, said it would hold at the Ecumenical Centre, Abonima Wharf Road, Port Harcourt at 10am with all guests directed to be seated by 9:30 am.
According to the state, those invited are the permanent secretaries, local government chairmen, heads of state security, paramilitary agencies, traditional rulers, chairmen and members of boards, and captains of industries among others
The statement however named Rivers State Administrator, Vice-Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd) as the Special Guest of Honour.
“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 statement read in part
President Ahmed Tinubu had on March 18, 2025 declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, suspending Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and the elected members of the Rivers State House of Assembly for an initial period of six months.
Irreconcilable political impasse in Rivers, led to the declaration of emergency rule.
The political crisis was fuelled by misunderstanding between the suspended governor Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike (now FCT Minister).
The political crisis took its toll on democratic governance, resulting in the demolition of the House of Assembly complex in late 2023 and disputes over legislative membership and legitimacy.
There were also allegations of widespread pipeline vandalism by militants, and governance was considered paralysed due to constitutional breaches, including a Supreme Court decision that later criticised the governor’s handling of the Assembly as tantamount to “despotism,” and stated that there was “no functioning government” in Rivers.
As part of his measures, Tinubu appointed Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retired) as the sole administrator to run the affairs of the state during the emergency.
Judicial institutions were left intact.
The Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, defended the emergency rule as necessary to stop the collapse of governance in Rivers and to restore constitutional order.
Fagbemi insisted that the President’s actions followed careful evaluation, mediation efforts, and a Supreme Court ruling.
