Ibas Says Emergency Rule In Rivers Was Unavoidable

Sole administrator of Rivers State, Ibok-Ete Ibas, says the declaration of emergency rule in the state was not by choice but a necessity to address insecurity and political deadlock.

Ibas made the remark on Tuesday in Port Harcourt during a public lecture themed Democracy and Good Governance, organised as part of activities leading to the end of the interim administration.

He explained that the emergency rule, imposed on March 18 by President Bola Tinubu, became inevitable after the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and members of the Rivers Assembly amid a deepening political crisis.

“Emergency rule was never our choice. It was a necessity, forced upon us by insecurity, political impasse, and a breakdown of trust,” Ibas said. “Yet, in hindsight, it offered enduring lessons — that peace is priceless, that without security no aspiration is possible, and that weakened governance creates a vacuum for opportunism that endangers lives.”

He noted that despite the challenges, his administration had restored grassroots democracy by conducting local government elections and stabilising governance.

Ibas praised the resilience of Rivers people, saying their perseverance under the emergency rule laid the foundation for rebuilding democracy in the state.

The emergency administration, which began six months ago, is scheduled to end on Thursday, September 18.