The tenure of retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas as sole administrator of Rivers State expired on September 18, 2025 when the elected Governor of Rivers State, Siminalaye Fubara resumed duty after expiration of declaration of state of emergency. People who engage in partisan politics create challenges in the policy to warrant declaration of state of emergency in Rivers State. One does not still understand the reason for political wrangling among those who are engaged in partisan politics in the state.
The quarrel and disagreements created the opportunity for the appointment of a sole administrator for Rivers State. This is a good lesson for those engaged in partisan politics and major stakeholders in the state. It is because the whole situation show they cannot manage their differences. The people concerned must do the needful to shelve a repeat of such political crises in Rivers State because history should not repeat itself in the state.
A sole administrator was appointed to stem the political crises when the appointment was made there were dissenting voices: some people were saying that he is not from Rivers State. Others were of the view that he is a military man. Another group of people were of the opinion there was no basis for declaration of state of emergency in Rivers State. The opinion held by these different voices might be correct one way or the other. The issue is that many people seems to forget so easily occurrences in the political arena in Rivers State in the fourth republic. Might be the people do it deliberately or not.
Rivers State has experienced political wrangling among those engaged in partisan politics in the fourth republic, their activities have affected the lives of the people negatively. Rivers State has experienced challenges of transfer of political power from one elected chief executive of the state to another. The transfer of power from one administration to another has been difficult, it becomes obvious for those of them in partisan politics to rethink and avoid such pitfalls which keep Rivers State at a disadvantaged position when such political crises occur in the state.
An objective observation shows that in the fourth republic of Nigeria in Rivers State: the first eight years of the period, transfer of political power from one administration to another was settled by supreme court judgement. In the second phase of eight years there were in fighting among state assembly members and the judiciary was almost made ineffective towards the end of the eight years.
In the third phase of eight years, the first tenure went on smoothly and towards election into the second tenure there were electoral violence which resulted to loss of life and property. At the beginning of the fourth phase of eight years within the first term political power was transferred to the incoming administration smoothly. There are lots of benefits for an outgoing chief executive of the state to handover power to the incoming chief executive of the state.
The elected government took saddle of Rivers State. Six months into the administration disagreement started between the governor and members of the state house of assembly. This precipitated the state of emergency in the state. This made many matters not to be attended by government. Many matters stagnated and kept at a halt. The policies and actions of the sole administrator positively affected the retired public servants. One must not be a public office holder forever before making positive impact on the people.
Retired Vice Admiral Ibas is a patriotic Nigerian. His policies and actions as sole administrator qualify him as a true stateman of Rivers State. He hails from Cross Rivers State in the Niger Delta area of Nigeria. The zeal demonstrated showed he wanted to impact on all sectors within his mandate. He captured the retired personal of the state in the verification exercise. The exercise was smooth and orderly. Those with health issues were given priority and asked to leave after the exercise. They were given a meal after their exercise and their transport fare paid into their individual bank accounts.
The retired personnel were also paid earlier each month. These were some of innovation introduced within the period.
People may say he did all these because he had less bill to pay on political appointments. It is just the political will. This is all the more reason for “when the righteous rule the people rejoice.” Political will is important for a good leader who want to impact on the lives of people. Pensioners have representatives in unions and associations. Their voices were not heard about payment of the entitlement of pensioners. The unions and association became compromised and they remain moribund in their actions.
Their voices were not heard or give feedback to those who elected them. The union seem to be more political in their behaviour than those engaged in partisan politics. Some of them under came up under the platform of former labour leaders and were making statements when state of emergency was declared. others boycotted celebration of May Day in Rivers State. What they did was within their rights but the best they would have done is to seek audience with sole administrator if possible. Another fact was that they should realise that many people in the state, were tense up and distressed with the leadership style in the state which has frayed the nerves of people. They would have helped reduced the tension in the state.
State of emergency is not military regime but some fundamental human rights were suspended to prevent violence. During military regime labour activities and movements were active. The Governor and others in leadership position in Rivers State should avoid sycophants and groups who are mainly interested in their selfish interest and want to cause violence, unrest and are interested in their personal gain and not developmental objectives of government.
In fact partisan politics is not a jamboree or dirty game. Partisan politics produce leaders who are expected to impact positively on the life of people. Except those of them who don’t want to play partisan politics within the rules, ethics and decency see politics as a dirty game. These categories of people want to play dirty politics. Those categories of people need to be avoided. Rivers State has had enough of violence, unrest, destruction and disruption in the state which has resulted to loss of lives and property.
Dr Jack can be reached via:[email protected]
