Rivers State Administrator, Vice-Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, has blamed the state’s elite, elders, and religious leaders for failing to defuse the political standoff between suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike.
Speaking during a public lecture commemorating the 58th anniversary of Rivers State, Ibas criticized key stakeholders for taking sides in the crisis rather than fostering neutrality and peace. He said their actions escalated tensions, ultimately leading to a breakdown in governance.
The prolonged conflict prompted President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to impose a six-month emergency rule on the state in March and appoint Ibas as administrator to restore order.
The lecture, titled “Rivers State, Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow: Search for Sustainable Peace and Opportunities for Development,” emphasized the state’s turbulent political history and the pressing need for unity and development.
Meanwhile, civic group Social Action Nigeria has joined calls for an immediate resolution of the political crisis, urging all parties to prioritize peace and stability.
