The Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, has reassured residents that he’s not within the state as a partisan actor or political competitor however as a stabilizing power geared toward restoring governance and order.
In a state broadcast on Thursday, Ibas, who resumed his duties at Authorities Home, Port Harcourt, emphasised his dedication to safeguarding civil liberties and making certain the security of all residents.
Ibas, who beforehand served as Nigeria’s twentieth indigenous Chief of Naval Workers and because the nation’s Excessive Commissioner to Ghana, affirmed that his main mission is to convey peace to Rivers State.
He acknowledged, “For many years, I’ve devoted my life to the service of our nice nation—first because the twentieth indigenous Chief of Naval Workers and later as Nigeria’s Excessive Commissioner to Ghana. I answered this name out of the necessity for peace in Nigeria, and most significantly, in Rivers State.”
He described the continuing political disaster within the state as a serious setback to governance and democracy, acknowledging the hardships confronted by households and companies amid the uncertainty.
“As a son of the Niger Delta, I’m one in all you. I really feel the burden of this disaster on households, companies, and the way forward for our folks,” he stated.
Ibas counseled President Bola Tinubu for his swift motion in declaring a state of emergency in Rivers State, emphasizing that the transfer was needed to revive stability and revitalize the state’s financial system.
“My mandate is obvious: restore regulation and order, guarantee stability, and create an enabling atmosphere for financial development. However this mission requires collective help from all stakeholders, no matter political affiliation or ethnicity,” Ibas acknowledged.
In his broadcast, Ibas issued a stern warning in opposition to crude oil sabotage and violence, urging residents to withstand any temptation to return to previous hostilities.
He reminded them of the devastating environmental and financial penalties of assaults on oil infrastructure, saying, “The Niger Delta has moved past the destruction of oil amenities. We should resist the temptation to return to these ugly days.”
Whereas stressing his dedication to upholding civil liberties and the rule of regulation, Ibas made it clear that lawlessness and violence wouldn’t be tolerated.
“We is not going to act arbitrarily, however we is not going to hesitate to deal decisively with anybody who threatens the peace and stability of Rivers State,” he declared.
Ibas revealed that he had concluded a State Safety Council assembly, throughout which strategic measures have been outlined to de-escalate tensions and forestall additional battle.
He expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for entrusting him with the accountability, and likewise thanked the Nationwide Meeting for approving the emergency declaration.
“I’ll work intently with the nationwide management underneath the steerage of the President. I’m optimistic that Rivers State will emerge stronger and higher,” Ibas concluded.
