Samuel Omang
Rivers State has officially commenced activities marking its transition from emergency rule to democratic governance. As part of the programme, the state government will hold an inter-denominational church thanksgiving service on Sunday at the Ecumenical Centre, Abonima Wharf Road, Port Harcourt.
In a statement on Saturday, Secretary to the State Government, Ibibia Worika, invited key stakeholders across the state to the service. Expected attendees 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. All guests are expected to be seated by 9:30 am ahead of the 10 am service.
The government also named the Rivers Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd), as the Special Guest of Honour for the thanksgiving event. Worika stated:
“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.”
Rivers State has been under federal emergency rule since March 18, 2025, when President Bola Tinubu suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and elected members of the Rivers State House of Assembly for an initial period of six months. The emergency declaration followed a prolonged political crisis marked by conflict between Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, now FCT Minister, disputes over legislative membership, and the demolition of the House of Assembly complex in late 2023.
Security concerns also weighed heavily, with widespread pipeline vandalism by militants and governance paralysis due to constitutional breaches. The Supreme Court criticised the governor’s handling of the Assembly, describing it as tantamount to “despotism” and stating there was “no functioning government” in Rivers.
During the emergency, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd) was appointed as the sole administrator to run state affairs, while judicial institutions remained operational. The Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, defended the emergency as necessary to restore constitutional order after careful evaluation and mediation efforts, in line with the Supreme Court ruling.
The thanksgiving service marks the formal beginning of the state’s return to democratic governance, signaling an end to the period of federal intervention.