The threat by the Military Administrator of Rivers State, Retired Vice Admiral Ibok Ete Ekwe Ibas to clampdown and maim Rivers women who went on a prayer walk for peace, development and
progress of the State is to say the least very shocking, embarrassing and dictatorship taken too far in a democratic setting.
It has gone to show how desperate Ekwe Ibas has become in his bid to extend the emergency rule, so that he will perpetrate his military dictatorship in the State. Else ,how could a prayer gathering of harmless women become an issue of concern to Ibas to the point of threatening to deal decisively with them.
Ibas should understand that even under the oppressive military rule of Late Sani Abacha there were still protests by Nigerians. So why now that Nigeria is under a democracy that an unconstitutional government in Rivers State would threaten to clampdown on peaceful worshippers. Rivers State allows for freedom of worship. Be it Christianity, Moslems traditional or any other form of worship. It is shocking that under Ibok Ibas, worshipping of God in the State is now a taboo to the extent that he is threating the women, among several other provocative actions he has taken to further desecrate our State.
One would want to ask what Ibas’s concern is, is it that he detest the worship of God or that the solemn cry of those Rivers women to their creator is having both spiritual and physical effect on him, or is it that he wants to silence the voices of women who have consistently made their points loud and clear appealing to Mr President to return democracy to the State, which it’s observed that is obviously threatening his continued stay as Milad.
We are aware that, the calm and peaceful demeanor of his Excellency Amaopusenibo Sir Dr.Siminalaye Fubara KSc,GSSRS, Governor of Rivers State has exposed their false narrative of violence in the State. This might be the reason why Ibas wants to creat a likelihood of crisis by unleashing terror on the women.This is exactly the reason he is threatening fire and brimstone.
It is also important to inform Mr Ibas that he has already deviated from the directive of Mr President regarding the Emergency rule. We also want to intimate Mr Ete Ibas that his assignment in Rivers is for some few months. Therefore, will he want to be remembered as an enemy who came to inflict pains on Rivers people or a father who restored democratic order in the State.General Abdusalami Abubakar will always be remembered for handing peacefully over to a democratically elected Government,signalling the end of military rule in Nigerian,it will wise for Ibas to toe same line,rather than what he is doing.
One would have expected that in almost two months into his appointment as Milad,he should have begun the process of reconciliation between the two parties to the political disagreement,instead all we are seeing are acts that are capable of creating anarchy and confusion in the State.For example, the appointment of Sole Administrators to head Local Government Councils and the dissolution of democratic structures and the constitution of Boards were not part of his mandate in Rivers State, talkless of appointment of Sole Administrators in the LGAs that is completely allien to our constitution.
The Milad should also know that dissolving Institutions whose tenures have not expired amounts to an act of illegality. However, Ibas has gone beyond his authority, hoping to use the illegal appointments, dissolution and re-appointments as a weapon to create crisis in the State.
Haven seen the peaceful nature of the State, which never required any emergency intervention whatsoever, he is desperately looking for a way to import crisis into the
State through many vexatious actions. Otherwise ,how can he explain his threat of mayhem on innocent women who did not parade weapons or any dangerous tools but only the Holy Bible, walking the streets in prayers and calling for peace in the State. If Vice Admiral Ibok Ebas was in the State for restoration of peace, would he not have encouraged the women to keep praying for the State? Rather than threatening to clampdown on them.
But let us inform Ibas that his threat would not deter Rivers women from their peaceful prayer walk. Rivers women love their land and they will continue to intercede on it no matter the threat.
Aa a military man Ibok Ete should be told that Nigeria is not under military dictatorship but under a Constitutional Democracy where freedom of Expression is allowed.Mr Ibas should also be advised to tread cautiously because he would surely account for every action perpetrated against the people of Rivers State if not before men then certainly before the Almighty God.
Let me therefore appeal to members of the National Assembly, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and all men of good conscience to advise Retired
Vice Admiral Ibok Ibas not to overreach himself but act within the confines and boundaries of his assignment in Rivers State.
He should know that Rivers State is peaceful as he already acknowledged, when he arrived the State.
Therefore,he should refrain from anything that would provoke or instigate violence in the State because Rivers State has been very peaceful and we intend to remain so.
Signed;
Hon.Tambari Sydney Gbara
Former State Publicity Secretary PDP Rivers State Chapter.
28/04/2025
