The Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), has praised President Bola Tinubu for his swift and decisive response to the political turmoil that engulfed the state earlier this year.
Speaking during the grand finale of the 25th anniversary celebrations of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) in Port Harcourt on Saturday, Ibas described Tinubu’s intervention as both “timely” and “reassuring,” adding that it restored order and reinforced governance in the oil-rich state.
“Let me express our sincere appreciation to His Excellency, Bola Tinubu, for his unwavering commitment to peace and stability in Rivers State and the broader Niger Delta. His intervention in restoring order and governance in the state was timely, firm, and deeply reassuring,” Ibas stated.
The state descended into crisis following a fierce fallout between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, which triggered chaos in the Rivers State House of Assembly and heightened tension across the region. To address the situation, President Tinubu in March declared a six-month state of emergency, suspending Governor Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and appointing Ibas as Sole Administrator. The decision drew mixed reactions, with some hailing the move while others challenged it legally.
However, by June, after weeks of unrest, Fubara and Wike reached a truce following a peace meeting brokered by President Tinubu, with both parties pledging to work together in the interest of the state. The two leaders were subsequently seen at public events together, signaling a thaw in their relationship.
Speaking on the role of the NDDC, Ibas commended the Commission for its contributions over the past 25 years, noting that it had made significant strides in bridging infrastructure gaps, improving livelihoods, and supporting community development in the Niger Delta region.
“As host state to the headquarters of this very important Commission, and a principal stakeholder in its work, Rivers State acknowledges a unique relationship with the NDDC. Our state has been both a contributor and beneficiary, from road construction and rural education to youth empowerment, water, and health projects. The impact of these efforts across the length and breadth of our state cannot be denied,” he remarked.
Ibas also advocated for expanded intervention in areas like youth skills training, sports development, and the blue economy to unlock fresh opportunities for the region.
“We must begin to move our attention—not necessarily away from the construction of roads and bridges—but by keying into the Renewed Hope Agenda of His Excellency, Bola Tinubu. I am of the firm belief that the Niger Delta region, through collaboration with the NDDC, can comfortably catalyse over half of this target simply by exploiting the potential of our blue economy,” he added.
