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The political unrest that shook Rivers State a few months ago has significantly subsided, according to the Nigeria Peace and Governance Initiative.
In a statement released Friday in Port Harcourt by its president, Charles Obeli, the group claimed that the state’s return to normalcy was aided by the proclamation of a state of emergency and the subsequent appointment of Rear Admiral Ibok-Eket Ibas (rtd), whom it described as impartial and knowledgeable, as the state’s sole administrator.
Obeli said, “The appointment of a neutral and experienced person like Ibas, signalled a decisive break from “the grip of non-state actors who were on the verge of legitimising anarchy in the state.
“Before the federal government stepped in, Rivers State was on the edge. What we witnessed was the gradual hijack of democratic space by individuals who saw state power as personal property.
“The appointment of Rear Admiral Ibas sent a strong message that the era of lawlessness is over and that responsible governance is back. Since his appointment, there’s been a visible return to normalcy. Public offices are functioning without intimidation, and the state’s political temperature has dropped significantly. It shows the power of impartial leadership.”
Speaking on the list of candidates that President Bola Tinubu sent to the Senate for confirmation into important state institutions in Rivers, Obeli said the nominations demonstrated the President’s determination to restore confidence in state government operations.
“These nominees are not career politicians or recycled loyalists. They are proven professionals with track records of service and discipline. This is a clear signal to Rivers people that our state is turning a new page — one focused on merit, integrity, and national interest above narrow agendas,” he noted.
Therefore, he asked the National Assembly to confirm the nominees as soon as possible so that institutional reconstruction might proceed unhindered.
While pledging to keep interacting with the people to encourage openness, harmony, and civic engagement in the state’s continuous recovery process, Obeli also urged all relevant parties, including civil society and traditional rulers, to support the current attempt to stabilize the state.
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Jonathan Nwokpor
