Dare Babalola
The sole administrator of Rivers, Ibok-Ete Ibas has noted that the declaration of emergency rule in the South-South state was a necessity.
The sole administrator said this on Tuesday while speaking at an event organised as part of the transition activities.
Ibas at the public lecture themed, “Democracy and good governance”, said the emergency rule was not a choice but a “necessity forced upon us by insecurity and political impasse”.
Noting that the emergency rule offered “enduring lessons” for the state, Ibas said his administration restored democratic governance at the grassroots level with the conduct of the LG elections.
He said, “Let me be clear: emergency rule was never our choice.
“It was a necessity, forced upon us by insecurity, political impasse, and a breakdown of trust. Yet, in hindsight, it offered enduring lessons.
“That peace is priceless. That without security, no other aspiration is possible. That when governance is weakened, opportunism fills the vacuum, endangering lives and livelihoods.
“And, most importantly, that the indomitable spirit of the Rivers people cannot be broken. You endured, you persevered, and you remained steadfast.
“The stability we have restored is the foundation upon which democracy must now be rebuilt.”
Recall that on March 18, President Bola Tinubu imposed an emergency rule in the oil-rich state in the wake of a political crisis.
