‘I’m not here to play politics’ – Rivers Administrator Ibas warns troublemakers

Vice Admiral Ibok-Ette Ibas (rtd), the Sole Administrator of Rivers State, has issued a stern warning to those intending to disrupt the peace and stability of the state.

He warned troublemakers to reconsider any actions that could hinder the progress of the and economic well-being.

Ibas stated that his acceptance of the role was not driven by personal ambition but by a strong commitment to fostering peace and stability in both Rivers State and Nigeria as a whole.

He stated, “I have dedicated my life to serving our great nation—first as a member of the Armed Forces, where I had the honor of serving as the 20th Indigenous Chief of Naval Staff, and later as Nigeria’s Commissioner to Ghana. After what I considered my retirement from public service, duty has called once again. I have answered, not out of personal ambition, but out of a deep commitment to restoring peace and stability in Rivers State.”

Acknowledging the difficult political climate in the state, Ibas noted, “The nearly two-year political deadlock has crippled governance, weakened democratic institutions, threatened security, and damaged the state’s economic and social structures. This has created deep divisions among the people and cast uncertainty over the future—realities we cannot ignore.”

In his inaugural address at the Government House in Port Harcourt, Ibas assured the people that he understood their concerns. “As a son of the Niger Delta, I share in the challenges facing the state. The tension is evident, and families, businesses, and individuals are unsure of what lies ahead,” he said.

He credited President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his decisive actions in declaring a state of emergency in Rivers State, stressing that his appointment was aimed at restoring stability, ensuring security, and reviving economic activities.

“My mandate is clear—to restore law and order, stabilize governance, and create the right conditions for democratic institutions to be fully restored,” he said. He called on all stakeholders, including political leaders, traditional rulers, youth, women, the media, and civil society groups, to work together to achieve these goals.

Ibas clarified that he was not in Rivers State as a partisan figure but as a neutral administrator with the duty of restoring peace.

“I am not here as a competitor in the political struggle that has brought us to this moment. My role is to ensure that Rivers State regains its rightful place as Nigeria’s oil and gas hub and, indeed, a key economic player in Africa,” he declared.

Emphasizing the importance of unity, he urged all Rivers residents, regardless of political or ethnic affiliations, to remain law-abiding and work together to rebuild trust and stability. He warned against resorting to violence or destruction of national infrastructure, saying, “We in the Niger Delta have moved past such destructive actions. We must resist the temptation to return to those dark days, as dialogue and honest engagement remain the best solutions to resolving conflicts.”

Ibas assured the public that under his leadership, civil liberties and fundamental human rights would be respected. However, he also issued a firm warning to those planning to destabilize the state. “There will be no tolerance for lawlessness, violence, or any action that threatens our collective well-being. While we will not act arbitrarily, we will not hesitate to enforce the law when necessary,” he stated.

Following his inaugural State Security Council meeting, Ibas revealed that he had given clear directives to security agencies to remain neutral, respect citizens’ rights, and maintain law and order. He promised swift action in implementing a structured roadmap for the next six months to ensure that government institutions are functioning efficiently and providing essential services to the people.

“We will work with stakeholders, as mandated by Mr. President, to ensure the state is on the path to recovery,” he concluded.