The Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (Rtd.), has declared Rivers State a national benchmark for good governance, citing his administration’s success in stabilising the state during a turbulent period of insecurity and political crisis.
Speaking at a Public Lecture themed “Democracy and Good Governance” in Port Harcourt on Tuesday, Ibas said his tenure laid the foundation for Rivers State to emerge as a model of effective leadership, transparency, and democratic reform in Nigeria.
The announcement comes ahead of Thursday’s expected resumption of duties by suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, as the reinstated Rivers APC spokesman Darlington Nwauju extended an open invitation to Fubara to join the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Ibas recalled that upon assuming office on March 18, 2025, his core mandate under the state of emergency in Rivers was to restore peace and stability in the face of severe insecurity, political impasse, and a breakdown of public trust.
“Emergency rule was never a choice. It was a necessity,” Ibas stated. “Yet, in hindsight, it offered us enduring lessons — that peace is priceless, that without security no other aspiration is possible, and that the indomitable spirit of Rivers people cannot be broken.”
The administrator highlighted his government’s achievements, including conducting peaceful local government elections to reinstate grassroots democracy. He described the recent transition activities as “a covenant renewal with the people of Rivers State, an affirmation that democracy must deliver and that governance must always be rooted in service.”
Commending guest lecturer Prof. Abiodun Amuda-Kannike for his presentation on “Good Governance and Democratic Dividends,” Ibas called for wide circulation of the lecture to promote inclusive governance and sustainable policies across Nigeria.
Expressing gratitude to Rivers residents for their support, Ibas urged all citizens to recommit to the values of tolerance, reconciliation, and collective progress.
“The stability we have restored is the foundation upon which democracy must now be rebuilt,” he said. “Much remains to be done, but the foundations have been laid. Let us build on it and prove to the world that Rivers State, the treasure base of the nation, can also be the model of good governance in Nigeria.”
In his welcome address, Secretary to the State Government Prof. Ibibia Worika described the event as a “defining moment” in Rivers history, marking the conclusion of six months of emergency rule and the transition back to democratic governance in Rivers State.
Guest lecturer Amuda-Kannike underscored the need for agricultural innovation, citizen empowerment, and sustainable reforms to drive economic diversification, urging Rivers people to embrace dialogue and forgiveness as essential tools for peacebuilding.
Meanwhile, APC spokesman Darlington Nwauju reiterated his call for Governor Fubara to join the party, saying that by convention, the governor would automatically become the leader of Rivers APC if he defects.
President Bola Tinubu and Governor Fubara were both expected back in Nigeria on Tuesday ahead of Rivers’ transition to democratic rule on Thursday. Tinubu cut short his vacation in France to oversee the return to civilian leadership in the state, while Ibas intensified preparations to hand over power with a series of transition activities.
