Rivers State Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral (Rtd) Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas has commenced the process of transiting from emergency rule to democratic governance.
NATIONAL POST reports that the emergency rule imposed on the state ends on September 18.
There are now clear indications that the state of emergency will not be extended.
As part of the activities for the transition process, an interdenominational church thanksgiving service will be held on Sunday at the Ecumenical Centre, Abonima Wharf Road, Port Harcourt.
A statement by the Secretary to State Government, SSG, Prof. Ibibia Lucky Worika invited all critical stakeholders for the service.
The event is scheduled for 10 a.m., with guests expected to be seated by 9:30 a.m.
Those invited include permanent secretaries, local government chairmen, heads of security and paramilitary agencies, traditional rulers, chairmen and members of boards and governing councils, as well as captains of industry.
The statement also named Rivers Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd), as the Special Guest of Honour.
The thanksgiving is to hold at the Ecumenical Centre, Abonima Wharf Road, Port Harcourt at 10am with all guests asked to be seated by 9:30am.
The statement 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”.
It could be recalled that the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesome Wike, during the local government election in Rivers, hinted that the emergency rule is over.
Also, Ibas, on Friday said President Bola Tinubu's mandate has been fulfilled in the state.
He disclosed this during the presentation of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission, RSIEC, report on the just-concluded local government election in the state.
“With the peaceful conduct of local government elections and the swearing-in of elected chairmen and councillors across all 23 LGAs, I can confidently say the mandate has been achieved,” Ibas said.
Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his Deputy and the State House of Assembly were all suspended by President Bola Tinubu on March 18, 2025.
