A crowd has converged at the Rivers State Government House Gate in Port Harcourt in anticipation of Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s resumption.
The development follows the handover of power by Rear Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (Rtd).
Ibas, who served as Sole Administrator during the six-month emergency rule in the state, formally handed back authority to Fubara on Wednesday after delivering his final statewide broadcast.
“Now as I hand back the reins of leadership to Sim Fubara, I do so with confidence and respect, and I urge all Rivers people to support him wholeheartedly because leadership and followership is a shared responsibility,” Ibas said in the broadcast.
The former administrator expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve, while urging citizens to rally behind the reinstated governor. He cited the conduct of local government elections, the reconstitution of statutory boards and commissions, and the passage of the state budget as key milestones achieved during his stewardship.
Ibas also cautioned against unchecked political rivalry, warning that “the exercise of power without restraint can cripple institutions and rivalry without dialogue clearly endangers democracy.”
Governor Fubara’s reinstatement follows President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s decision to lift the emergency proclamation, which had suspended the offices of the governor, deputy governor, and state assembly since March.