The Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral (Rtd) Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, has stated that the six-month state of emergency declared in the state was a necessity to restore peace and stability.

He emphasized that the emergency rule was not a choice but a response to severe insecurity, political impasse, and a breakdown of public trust in the state.

Ibas made these remarks during a public lecture titled “Democracy and Good Governance,” held at the Banquet Hall, Government House, Port Harcourt.

The event marked the transition from emergency administration to democratic governance in Rivers State. He reflected on the challenges faced during the emergency period and highlighted the importance of security in achieving other aspirations. “Without security, no other aspiration is possible,” Ibas stated.

The administrator also noted that the emergency rule exposed weaknesses in governance that allowed opportunism to thrive, endangering lives and livelihoods.

He commended the resilience of the Rivers people, stating, “The indomitable spirit of Rivers people cannot be broken. They endured, they persevered, and they have remained steadfast.”

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Looking ahead, Ibas called on all citizens to recommit to the values of tolerance, reconciliation, and collective progress. He emphasized that the stability restored during the emergency period provides a foundation upon which democracy must now be rebuilt. “Much remains to be done, but the foundations have been laid.

Let us build on it and prove to the world that Rivers State, the treasure base of the nation, can also be the model of good governance in Nigeria,” he urged.