Ibas stated this during a Public Lecture titled ‘Good Governance and Democratic Dividends’ delivered by Prof. Abiodun Amuda-Kanmike, SAN, as part of the transition activities held in Government House, Port Harcourt.

Ibas thanked the people of the State for the support and cooperation given to him as the State Administrator, insisting that he has achieved the presidential mandate given to him to restore peace and security in Rivers

Ibas stated that the public lecture was more than an intellectual exercise, describing it as a covenant renewal with the people of Rivers.

The Administrator stated, “As a nation, our democracy must deliver, and that governance must always be rooted in service.

“Standing before you, we feel with gratitude and humility; gratitude for the support you gave me as your administrator and humility that I was called to serve in such a defining moment in the history of this great state.

He continued, “Most significantly was the peacefully conducted local government council elections restored democratic governance to the grassroots, the level of government closest to the people. Emergency rule was never a choice; it was a necessity brought upon us by insecurity, political impasse, and breakdown of trust.

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He further said, “Rivers State has been stabilised under extraordinary circumstances; much remains to be done. The foundations have been laid.

Earlier in his goodwill message, Secretary to the Rivers State Government, Prof. Ibibia Worika, said the lecture came at a defining moment of a transition to democratic governance, even as he commended Rivers people for their support and cooperation with the interim administration.

The Guest Lecturer, remarked that as the Ibas-led administration is transiting, it should serve as a period of sober reflection, saying, ” The case of Rivers should be an example for other states in the country.”

Source: Punch