The Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ette Ibas (rtd.), has issued a warning to individuals seeking to disrupt the peace, progress, and economic stability of the state, urging them to refrain from such actions.
Ibas emphasized his dedication to fostering peace, stability, and prosperity not only in Rivers State but throughout Nigeria.
He made these remarks during his inaugural address at Government House in Port Harcourt on Thursday evening.
He said, “I have dedicated my life to the service of our great nation. First, as a member of our Armed Forces, where I had the honor and privilege of serving as the 20th indigenous Chief of the Naval Staff, and more recently as Nigeria’s Commissioner to the Republic of Ghana. After what I believed to be my retirement from public service, duty has called again. I have answered not for personal ambition but out of an abiding commitment to bringing peace, stability, and prosperity to Nigeria as a whole and, more specifically, to Rivers State.”
The sole administrator recognized that his appointment occurs during a challenging period in history, saying, “The political impasse of nearly two years in Rivers State has paralyzed governance, desecrated democratic institutions, threatened security, and undermined the economic and social fabric of the state. It has deepened division among the people and cast a shadow of uncertainty over the future. These are realities we cannot afford to ignore.
“As a son of the Niger Delta, I am one of you, and I recognize the weight of this moment, the expectations of the people, and the challenges that lie ahead. The uneasy calm that pervades the state is palpable, and I feel the weight of families, young and old. Businesses are uncertain about what the future holds.”
He emphasized that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s prompt and resolute measures to declare a state of emergency and his subsequent appointments were mainly aimed at safeguarding the livelihoods of citizens and residents, reestablishing peace, security, and stability to facilitate economic activities, and preventing any disruption to the way of life for the people of Rivers State.
He added, “My mandate is clear: to restore law and order, stabilize the polity, and create the necessary conditions for the full restoration of democratic institutions and representation. This is not a task for one man alone. Success will depend on the collective effort of all Rivers people: elders, political leaders, traditional rulers, youths, women, the media, and civil society.”
Ibas confirmed that he is not present in the state “as a partisan actor nor as a competitor in the struggle that has brought us to this moment. I come as a servant of the state, entrusted with the solemn duty of restoring peace and order so that Rivers State can move forward once again and reclaim its rightful place as the oil and gas capital of Nigeria and, I dare say, Africa.”
He emphasized that governance is not an individual pursuit, stating that genuine stability and renewal depend on the collective determination of the populace.
He added, “I extend my hands to every son and daughter of Rivers State, regardless of political affiliation, ethnicity, or creed. I urge you to remain law-abiding, peaceful, and optimistic. Let us set aside our differences and work together to rebuild trust, restore stability, and protect the future of our children.
“The challenges before us depend on unity, not division; on cooperation, not discord; on forward-thinking, not backward grievances. Commitment to unity, cooperation, and dialogue must be the fulcrum of all engagements going forward.
“Destruction of national infrastructure in the name of agitation is something we in the Niger Delta have long put behind us. Through collective engagement, our people have become more aware of the collateral damage that comes with it. Not only does it deprive the government of sufficient resources to provide critical infrastructure and services, but the damage to the environment has also left vast areas of the Niger Delta extensively devastated, affecting the health and livelihood of our people. We must resist the temptation to return to those ugly days. Dialogue and honest engagement have proven time and time again to be veritable tools for resolving differences and conflicts of any kind.”
He asserted that during his tenure, civil liberties and essential human rights will be upheld and safeguarded. The principle of the rule of law will continue to be inviolable.
He said, “However, those who seek to sabotage the social and economic stability of Rivers State and national infrastructure within the state or who attempt to disrupt the peace for selfish ends will find no tolerance for their actions.
“There will be no room for lawlessness, no place for violence, and no patience for actions that threaten our collective well-being. We will not act arbitrarily, nor will we hesitate to enforce the law when necessary.”
The sole administrator stated that following the first meeting of the State Security Council and subsequent briefings from state security agencies, “I have taken note of the various reports, initiatives, and concerns, and I have issued clear directives for specific actions in response to some of them.”
“I have specifically charged them to remain neutral, respect the rights of citizens, and do all within their power to maintain law and order while collectively working to de-escalate tensions where they encounter them.”
He promised to move with deliberate speed to articulate a pragmatic roadmap for the next six months to ensure that every government bureaucracy is properly functioning, agencies providing services to citizens and residents are doing so, and stakeholders are engaged as mandated by Mr. President.”
