The Rivers State Government has announced the commencement of activities marking its transition from emergency rule to democratic governance.
As part of the programme, the government will on Sunday hold an inter-denominational church thanksgiving service at the Ecumenical Centre, Abonima Wharf Road, Port Harcourt.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the Secretary to the State Government, Ibibia Worika, invited critical stakeholders across the state to attend the service.
Those expected include permanent secretaries, local government chairmen, heads of state security and paramilitary agencies, traditional rulers, chairmen and members of boards and governing councils, as well as captains of industry.
According to the statement, all guests are expected to be seated by 9:30 am ahead of the service which will begin at 10 am.
The government also named the Rivers Administrator, Vice-Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd), as the Special Guest of Honour at the thanksgiving.
Quoting the statement, Worika said,” The Government of Rivers State is pleased to invite the Permanent Secretaries, Local Government Chairmen, Heads of State Security and Para-Military Agencies, Traditional Rulers, Chairmen and members of Boards and Governing Councils, Captains of industries, Government Officials and invited guests to the Inter-Denominational Church Thanksgiving Service, as part of transition activities to usher in Democratic Governance in Rivers State.”
President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State on March 18, 2025, suspending Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and the elected members of the Rivers State House of Assembly for an initial period of six months.
The emergency declaration came amid a deep political crisis in Rivers, characterised by conflict between Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike (now FCT Minister).
Among the flashpoints was the demolition of the House of Assembly complex in late 2023 and disputes over legislative membership and legitimacy.
Security concerns also weighed heavily. There were allegations of widespread pipeline vandalism by militants, and governance was considered paralysed due to constitutional breaches, including a Supreme Court decision that later criticised the governor’s handling of the Assembly as tantamount to “despotism,” and stated that there was “no functioning government” in Rivers.
As part of his measures, Tinubu appointed Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retired) as the sole administrator to run the affairs of the state during the emergency. Judicial institutions were left intact.
The Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, defended the emergency rule as necessary to stop the collapse of governance in Rivers and to restore constitutional order.
He emphasised that the President’s actions followed careful evaluation, mediation efforts, and a Supreme Court ruling.
