The Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Rear Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, has handed power back to Governor Siminalayi Fubara following the end of President Bola Tinubu’s six-month emergency rule.
In his final broadcast, Ibas urged citizens to support Fubara as he resumes office. President Tinubu lifted the emergency yesterday, September 17, 2025, citing “a groundswell of a new spirit of understanding, a robust readiness, and potent enthusiasm on the part of all the stakeholders in Rivers State for an immediate return to democratic governance.”
Fubara, Deputy Governor Ngozi Nma Odu, and the House of Assembly will resume duties today, September 18. Tinubu called on all governors to prioritise peace and good governance.
Ibas defended his tenure, saying Tinubu’s mandate was “achieved” with the conduct of local government polls. “Mr President’s mandate to me was clear: stabilise the state, re-establish its institutions, and return Rivers State to full democratic governance. With the successful conduct and inauguration of local government councils, we have decisively delivered on that mandate,” he said.
“For once, an election was conducted where nobody was harassed, where people freely made their choice of leaders,” Ibas added.
Meanwhile, security personnel protested against Ibas, accusing him of trying to “sneak away with the state’s wealth while leaving them empty-handed, ahead of Governor Sim Fubara’s assumption of office following his suspension.”
