Rivers Emergency Rule: Ibas Defends Tenure, Opposition Parties Call for Probe
With just days before the return of Governor Siminalayi Fubara on September 18, Rivers State’s Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), has defended his six-month tenure under emergency rule, claiming he fulfilled President Bola Tinubu’s mandate to stabilise the oil-rich state.
Ibas, appointed on March 18 after President Tinubu declared a state of emergency amid political turmoil between Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, said his administration laid the foundation for peace and reconciliation.
Speaking at a thanksgiving service in Port Harcourt, Ibas said:
“Our beloved state stood at a crossroad six months ago, torn by divisions and instability. By God’s grace and with the support of Mr. President, we worked through those difficult days together. The seeds of reconciliation have been planted, and we must nurture them for Rivers’ progress.”
He appealed to politicians and stakeholders to prioritise peace, unity, and the state’s prosperity over partisan interests, warning that Rivers “cannot afford another season of division.”
Opposition Demands Probe
Despite Ibas’s defence, opposition parties and civic groups have demanded investigations into his handling of the state’s affairs.
- The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) described his tenure as unconstitutional and a waste of resources, calling for a probe into state funds spent under his administration.
- The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) dismissed his appointment as illegitimate, saying the constitution does not permit replacing an elected governor with a sole administrator.
- The Labour Party (LP) alleged that Ibas acted as a placeholder for Tinubu and Wike, accusing them of using the emergency rule to secure political and economic control ahead of 2027.
PDP’s Deputy National Youth Leader, Timothy Osadolor, stated:
“Rivers had an elected governor. Six months of illegality must be corrected and investigated. The resources expended belong to the people and must be accounted for.”
Civil society groups also weighed in. The Ijaw Youth Council alleged corruption under Ibas, while the Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People (MOSOP) accused the administrator of crippling the economy and making illegal appointments. Both organisations urged anti-graft agencies EFCC and ICPC to launch a probe.
Former Senator Lee Maeba was more scathing, saying:
“Six months of allocations and revenues have been lost. The President must account for Rivers’ money. The constitution does not allow suspending a governor; this was a dangerous precedent.”
APC Praises Ibas
The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), however, praised Ibas for restoring peace and overseeing local government elections held on August 30, where APC won 20 seats against PDP’s three.
APC’s Director of Publicity, Bala Ibrahim, said:
“The people of Rivers exercised their democratic rights peacefully under Ibas. Whether he acted within his terms of reference is for the presidency to decide, but as a party, we are satisfied with the stability achieved.”
Looking Ahead
With Fubara set to resume office on September 18 after his suspension, many observers believe the reconciliation between him and Wike will determine the stability of Rivers State politics moving forward.
But opposition voices insist that Ibas’s six-month rule must not pass without accountability. As tensions ease, calls for transparency and a full probe into the emergency period continue to dominate Rivers State’s political discourse.
