An excited crowd of supporters has gathered at the Government House waiting to welcome Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu.
Officials from the state emergency services are also on the ground.
Fubara and his deputy had been away from the governance of the state for six months, after President Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers, citing a political crisis.
The former administrator, retired Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, who handed over the reins of power on Wednesday night, urged political actors in the state to embrace mutual respect and dialogue in a state broadcast.