Governor Siminalayi Fubara on Thursday formally resumed office alongside his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, following President Bola Tinubu’s decision to lift the six-month state of emergency imposed on the oil-rich state.
The lawmakers held their first plenary session in six months, presided over by Speaker Martins Amaewhule, at the conference hall in the legislative quarters, Port Harcourt, which has served as a temporary chamber since the Assembly complex on Moscow Road was torched and later demolished by the state government.
The development came as the Sole Administrator of the state, Rear Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), formally handed over power to Governor Fubara, declaring that law and order had been restored.
In his farewell speech, Ibas, who was appointed by President Tinubu to stabilise the state at the height of political turmoil, said his tenure delivered milestones of progress including the conduct of local government elections, reconstitution of statutory boards, and the passage of the state budget by the National Assembly.
He cautioned political actors against abusing authority, noting that, “One of the enduring lessons of this season is that the exercise of power without restraint can cripple institutions, and rivalry without dialogue clearly endangers democracy.
“Let this chapter therefore stand as a permanent reminder that the health of our polity depends not on who wins or loses but on how political actors manage their differences and on the strength of the institutions we preserve and the unity we nurture,” he said.
Expressing gratitude to Tinubu for entrusting him with the assignment, Ibas praised security agencies for their efforts in keeping the peace and commended the resilience of Rivers people.
He said, “Now, as I hand back the reigns of leadership to his excellency Governor Siminalayi Fubara, I do so with confidence and respect. I call all Rivers people to support him wholeheartedly because leadership and followership is a shared responsibility.
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“No matter how competent and no matter how clear your vision may be, it can only come to fruition and thrive with the active support of citizens. For me, this is the closing of another chapter in life devoted to service at sea, in diplomacy, and now in governance.
“My dear people, may this state never again be brought to the brink of collapse. May we always choose unity over division, dialogue over discord, and progress over paralysis. The garden city must never lose its fragrance. May God bless us all. May God bless Rivers State and may God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
Tinubu had on March 18 declared a state of emergency in Rivers State after the protracted standoff between Governor Fubara and lawmakers loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, paralysed governance and threatened security.
The President subsequently suspended Fubara, his deputy, and members of the Assembly for six months, dissolving political structures and installing Ibas as sole administrator.
The decision drew sharp criticisms from some quarters who described it as unconstitutional, while others defended it as a pragmatic step to restore order.
On June 3, Fubara visited Tinubu in Lagos, his second closed-door meeting with the President since the suspension, and also reconciled with Wike in a bid to end their rift.
With Wednesday’s declaration lifting the emergency rule, full democratic governance has now returned to the state.
