The farewell thanksgiving service organised for the Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral (retd.) Ibok-Ete Ibas, on Sunday, was marked by notable absences as both the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, and the suspended Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, were not in attendance.
The event, held at the Ecumenical Centre in Port Harcourt, drew several dignitaries, including permanent secretaries, local government chairmen, heads of boards and agencies, and security commanders.
However, the absence of key political actors such as Wike and Fubara, alongside many traditional rulers, stirred speculations among observers.
In his address, Ibas, who was appointed Sole Administrator by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on March 18, 2025, urged political stakeholders in Rivers State to embrace peace and unity. He called on leaders and citizens to set aside personal ambitions and work collectively for the progress of the state.
“No political victory or personal gain is worth the blood of any Rivers citizen,” he said, appealing to politicians, religious leaders, elders, and youths to promote reconciliation and stability.
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Ibas reflected on the challenges that confronted the state during his six-month administration, noting that Rivers was deeply divided at the time of his appointment. He highlighted the successful conduct of local government elections as part of the progress achieved under his watch.
The farewell service comes as Rivers State prepares to transition from emergency rule back to normal governance, with public attention focused on how lingering divisions between political leaders will be resolved.
