Rivers Begins Transition to Democratic Governance as Emergency Rule Ends

The Rivers State Government has announced the commencement of a transition from emergency rule to democratic governance, nearly six months after a state of emergency was declared.

In a statement issued by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Prof. Ibibia Lucky Worika, and made available to newsmen, stakeholders were invited to an interdenominational church thanksgiving service to mark the beginning of the transition process.

The service is scheduled to hold on Sunday, September 14, at the Ecumenical Centre, Abonima Wharf Road, Port Harcourt, by 10:00 a.m., with guests expected to be seated by 9:30 a.m.

Those invited include permanent secretaries, local government chairmen, heads of security and paramilitary agencies, traditional rulers, chairmen and members of boards and governing councils, as well as captains of industry. The state’s Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd), will serve as Special Guest of Honour.

The move comes after President Bola Tinubu, in a nationwide broadcast on March 18, declared a state of emergency in Rivers State at the height of a political crisis between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

At the time, Tinubu accused Governor Fubara of ordering the demolition of the State House of Assembly and subsequently suspended him, along with his deputy, Ngozi Odu, for six months. All elected members of the Rivers State House of Assembly were also suspended, with Vice Admiral Ibas appointed as sole administrator.

Tensions in the state eased in June following a reconciliation between Wike and Fubara during a meeting with President Tinubu in Abuja. Since then, Wike has regained firm control of the state’s political structure, further strengthened by the recent local government elections in which his allies swept all available seats.

With the expiration of the emergency rule, the Rivers State Government says the thanksgiving service is part of activities to formally usher in the return of democratic governance.