The Rivers State Government has officially announced the beginning of a series of activities to mark its return from emergency rule to normal democratic governance. This signals a major step towards restoring leadership chosen by the people and ending military-style administration.
As part of the events planned, the government will hold a special inter-denominational thanksgiving church service on Sunday. This service will take place at the Ecumenical Centre on Abonima Wharf Road, Port Harcourt. The service is intended to thank God for bringing the state through a difficult period and to pray for peace, unity, and progress as democratic government resumes.
According to a statement released on Saturday by the Secretary to the State Government, Ibibia Worika, important individuals and groups from across the state have been invited to attend the thanksgiving service. These invitees include:
- Permanent secretaries of different ministries
- Local government chairmen
- Leaders of state security agencies and paramilitary organisations
- Traditional rulers and community leaders
- Chairmen and members of boards and governing councils
- Captains of industries and other business leaders
The statement also explained that all invited guests should be seated by 9:30 a.m., as the thanksgiving service will officially begin at 10:00 a.m. The Special Guest of Honour at the occasion will be Vice-Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retired), who was the Rivers State Administrator during the period of emergency rule.
Quoting the official announcement, Ibibia Worika said:
“The Rivers State Government warmly invites permanent secretaries, local government chairmen, leaders of security and paramilitary agencies, traditional rulers, chairmen and members of boards and governing councils, captains of industries, government officials, and other invited guests to attend the Inter-Denominational Church Thanksgiving Service. This event is one of the major activities lined up to mark the transition back to democratic governance in Rivers State.”
It will be recalled that President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State on March 18, 2025. This decision led to the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and all elected members of the Rivers State House of Assembly for an initial period of six months.
The emergency rule was introduced because of a serious political crisis in the state. The crisis mainly involved a power struggle between Governor Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, who is now the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Tensions became worse after the demolition of the House of Assembly complex in late 2023, as well as disputes over who had the legitimate right to sit in the Assembly.
Security concerns also played a big role. There were widespread reports of pipeline vandalism carried out by militants, and the Supreme Court even criticised the governor’s handling of the Assembly, describing it as despotic.The court declared that there was effectively no functioning government in Rivers State at the time.
In response, President Tinubu appointed Vice-Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retired) as the sole administrator to take charge of the state during the emergency period. While the executive and legislative arms of government were suspended, the judiciary was allowed to continue functioning.
The Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, later explained that the emergency rule was necessary to prevent total collapse of governance in Rivers. He stressed that the President’s decision followed careful consideration, several failed attempts at mediation, and the Supreme Court’s ruling.
Now, with the gradual return to democracy, the thanksgiving service marks the first public celebration of this transition, and it is expected to draw together political leaders, traditional institutions, business leaders, and ordinary citizens to witness this new beginning for Rivers State.
