Ibok-Ete Ibas, sole administrator of Rivers, has urged residents to put aside rivalry and self-interest in the interest of peace and development.
Speaking on Sunday at an interdenominational thanksgiving service in Port Harcourt to mark the state’s transition back to democratic governance, Ibas reflected on Rivers’ turbulent months under emergency rule.
The retired naval chief, appointed in March by President Bola Tinubu after declaring emergency rule, said the state had been “torn by divisions, instability and broken trust” before his intervention.
“By God’s grace, and with the support of Mr President and all of you, we have walked through those difficult days together. The survival and relative stability we enjoy today are testimony to God’s faithfulness,” Ibas said.
He warned politicians to put the state’s peace above personal ambition:
“Political actors must sheath their swords, because no political victory or personal gain is worth the blood of any Rivers citizen. The progress and prosperity of Rivers must come before partisanship.”
Ibas also appealed to young people not to allow themselves to be used for violence, urging them to channel their energy into building a more stable and prosperous state.
He called on community leaders, elders, and religious figures to continue guiding residents and offering prayers for Rivers’ peace.
