Dare Babalola
Rivers State Government has announced the commencement of transition from emergency rule to democratic governance.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the Secretary to the State Government, Ibibia Worika, said the government will on Sunday hold an inter-denominational church thanksgiving service at the Ecumenical Centre, Abonima Wharf Road, Port Harcourt.
Worika disclosed that critical stakeholders across the state were invited to attend the service as part of the transition process.
Those expected include permanent secretaries, local government chairmen, heads of state security and paramilitary agencies, traditional rulers, chairmen and members of boards and governing councils, as well as captains of industry.
The government also named the Rivers Administrator, Vice-Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd), as the Special Guest of Honour at the thanksgiving.
Quoting the statement, Worika said,” The Government of Rivers State is pleased to invite the Permanent Secretaries, Local Government Chairmen, Heads of State Security and Para-Military Agencies, Traditional Rulers, Chairmen and members of Boards and Governing Councils, Captains of industries, Government Officials and invited guests to the Inter-Denominational Church Thanksgiving Service, as part of transition activities to usher in Democratic Governance in Rivers State.”
The development comes nearly six months after President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in the state.
Tinubu made the pronouncement in a nationwide broadcast on March 18, 2025.
The emergency rule was imposed at the height of the political crisis in the state, following a fallout between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his estranged political godfather, FCT Minister Nyesom Wike.
