By Muhammad Mamman
The Rivers State Government has announced the start of activities marking its transition from emergency rule back to democratic governance.
As part of the programme, an inter-denominational church thanksgiving service will be held on Sunday at the Ecumenical Centre, Abonima Wharf Road, Port Harcourt.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the Secretary to the State Government, Ibibia Worika, invited key stakeholders to attend the service. Those expected include permanent secretaries, local government chairmen, heads of security and paramilitary agencies, traditional rulers, board members, and captains of industry.
According to the statement, guests are expected to be seated by 9:30 a.m. ahead of the 10 a.m. service. The state administrator, Vice-Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd), will serve as the Special Guest of Honour.
Quoting the statement, Worika said:
“The Government of Rivers State is pleased to invite Permanent Secretaries, Local Government Chairmen, Heads of State Security and Para-Military Agencies, Traditional Rulers, Board Members, Captains of Industry, 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.”
President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers on 18 March 2025, suspending Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and members of the State House of Assembly for an initial six months.
The decision followed months of political crisis between Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, now Minister of the Federal Capital Territory. The rift escalated after the demolition of the State Assembly complex in late 2023 and disputes over legislative legitimacy.
Security concerns, including reports of pipeline vandalism and governance paralysis, further deepened the crisis. The Supreme Court later criticised Fubara’s handling of the Assembly as “despotism,” declaring that “there was no functioning government” in Rivers at the time.
To stabilise the state, President Tinubu appointed Vice-Admiral Ibas as sole administrator while judicial institutions were left to function independently.
Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, defended the emergency declaration as vital to restoring constitutional order, stressing that it followed exhaustive evaluation and failed mediation efforts.
Sunday’s thanksgiving service marks the symbolic beginning of Rivers’ return to civilian-led governance.
