Retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas on Wednesday bowed out as Administrator of Rivers State, following President Bola Tinubu’s decision to lift the state of emergency and reinstate Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

Tinubu had on 18 March declared a six-month state of emergency in Rivers, citing an unhealthy political climate. At the time, he pledged to restore democratic governance once the situation stabilised. A statement issued on 17 September confirmed the lifting of the emergency rule.

In a statewide broadcast on Thursday, Ibas expressed gratitude to the people of Rivers and President Tinubu for entrusting him with the responsibility of steering the state during what he described as “an extraordinary moment in its history.”

“Six months ago, President Tinubu entrusted me with the responsibility of steering Rivers’ affairs through an extraordinary moment in its history. Today, that mandate has been accomplished,” he said.

Ibas noted that law and order had been restored, local government elections conducted, and statutory boards and commissions reconstituted. He added that the state budget had been passed by the National Assembly, providing a legitimate fiscal framework for governance and development.

“These milestones reflect the resilience of a people determined never to let their state slip into paralysis,” he said.

Reflecting on lessons from the period, Ibas cautioned political actors against wielding power without restraint, stressing that rivalry without dialogue endangered democracy and threatened institutions.

He urged citizens to support Governor Fubara and advised political leaders to prioritise unity and stability above personal ambition.

“The emergency rule was never about one man, but about restoring dignity to governance and giving the people what is rightfully theirs. Leadership is a shared responsibility. No matter how clear a vision may be, it requires citizens’ active support,” he said.

Ibas commended civil servants, security agencies, community leaders and residents for helping to maintain stability during the emergency.

The lifting of emergency rule ends six months of uncertainty in Rivers, though the political climate remains fragile. Observers note that Tinubu’s intervention helped avert a deeper crisis, but underlying tensions that led to the suspension of democratic institutions may not yet be fully resolved.