The Rivers State Government has announced the start of activities marking its transition from emergency rule to democratic governance.
As part of the programme, the government will conduct an inter-denominational church thanksgiving service on Sunday at the Ecumenical Centre, Abonima Wharf Road, Port Harcourt.
The Secretary to the State Government, Ibibia Worika, has issued a statement on Saturday, inviting prominent stakeholders across the state to attend the service.
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 are expected to attend.
The statement specified that all guests should be seated by 9:30 am before the service commences 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.
The statement read ,” 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.”
A state of emergency was declared in Rivers State by President Bola Tinubu on March 18, 2025, leading to the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu, and the elected members of the Rivers State House of Assembly for an initial period of six months.
This declaration was prompted by a deep-seated political crisis in Rivers, marked by conflict between Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike (now FCT Minister), with notable flashpoints including 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 oversee the state’s affairs during the emergency, while maintaining the integrity of judicial institutions.
The Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, justified the emergency rule as necessary to prevent the collapse of governance in Rivers and restore constitutional order.
He underscored that the President’s actions were predicated on careful evaluation, mediation efforts, and a Supreme Court ruling
