Rivers Sole Administrator, Vice-Admiral Ibok Ibas (retd) has given his mandate in the state, which is to restore law and order, stabilise the polity and create the necessary environment for the full restoration of democratic institutions.

Ibas in his maiden statewide broadcast in Port Harcourt on Thursday evening, decried the state of affairs that led to the declaration of emergency rule by the President Bola Tinubu.

He said: “My mandate is clear; to restore law and order, stabilise the polity and to create the necessary conditions for the full restoration of democratic institutions and representation.

“My appointment comes at a difficult and consequential moment in history. The political impasse of nearly two years in Rivers State has paralysed governance, desecrated democratic institutions, threatened security and undermined the economic and social fabric of the state.”

According to him, the political impasse, “has deepened divisions among the people, and cast a shadow of uncertainty over the future. These are realities we can not afford to ignore.”

He declared: “As a son of the Niger Delta, I am one of you. And I recognise the weight of this moment. The expectations of the people, and the challenges that lie ahead.

“The uneasy calm that pervades the state is palpable and I feel the weight of families, young and old, businesses, that have made both little and huge investments in Rivers State, uncertain what the immediate future holds.”

The sole administrator lauded Mr President Tinubu’s proactive and decisive action to declare a state of emergency in Rivers.

He added that his subsequent appointment was primarily to ensure stability of livelihoods for citizens and residents, restore peace, security and stability for economic activities to continue to thrive and avert any disruptions to the way of life of the people of Rivers.

He urged the supports of all stakeholders such as elders, political leaders, traditional rulers, faith leaders, youths, women, the media and civil society to enable him actualise his mission.

He said. “I do not come as a partisan actor, nor as a competitor in the struggles that have brought us to this moment. I come as a servant of the state, entrusted with the solemn duty of restoring peace and order so that Rivers State can move forward once again and reclaim its rightful place as the oil and gas capital of Nigeria and I dare say Africa.”

Ibas urged Rivers people to be law-abiding, peaceful and optimistic and to set aside their grievances and work together to rebuild trust, restore stability and protect the future of our children.

He warned against the destruction of national infrastructure under the guise of agitations, saying such ugly actions were no longer part of the region.

He said: “The challenges before us depend on unity, not division, cooperation, not discord,on forward thinking, not backward grievances.
A commitment to unity, cooperation and dialogue must be the fulcrum of all engagements going forward.

“Destruction of National infrastructure in the name of agitation is something we in the Niger Delta have since put behind us. Through collective engagements our people have become more aware of the collateral damages that come with it.

“Not only does it deprive government enough resources to provide necessary critical infrastructure and services, the damage to the environment has left vast areas of the Niger Delta extensively devastated affecting the live and livelihoods of our people.”

Ibas appealed: “We must resist the temptation to return to those ugly days. Dialogue and honest engagement have proven time and time again, as a veritable tool for resolving differences and conflicts of any kind.”

He said under his leadership, civil liberties and fundamental human rights would be respected and protected, adding that the rule of law would remain sacrosanct.

He added: “Those who seek to sabotage the social or economic stability of Rivers State and national infrastructure and institutions within the state or who attempt to disrupt the peace for selfish or destructive gains, will find no tolerance for their actions.

“There will be no room for lawlessness. No space for violence and no patience for actions that threaten our collective well-being. We will not act arbitrarily. But neither will we hesitate to enforce the law when necessary. Let no one be in doubt, we will uphold justice and fairness but we will also ensure that civil order prevails.”

Ibas said he had concluded his inaugural security Council meeting, and taken additional briefs from heads of security agencies in the state, noting that he read the various reports, initiatives and concerns and gave clear directives on specific actions.

“I have specifically charged them to remain neutral, respect the rights of citizens and do all within their powers to maintain law and order while collectively working together to de escalate tensions when they come in contact with such.

“In the coming days, we will move with deliberate speed to articulate a pragmatic road map for the next six months to ensure that every government bureaucracy is properly functioning. Agencies providing services to citizens and residents are doing so and engage stakeholders as mandated by Mr President.

“I ask for your understanding and cooperation. Above all, I ask for your faith in the possibility of a better future, one built on peace, stability and shared progress.”

Ibas thanked the President for the confidence reposed in him and for entrusting him with such delicate national assignment.

He also commended the leadership and members of the 10th National Assembly, who graciously approved Mr. President’s state of emergency proclamation for Rivers.

“I will draw on my training, knowledge, experience and dedication to ensure that essence of this historic decision is achieved. I will have to work closely with the National Assembly, under the guidance of Mr President, consequently, I hope to continue to count on their support and cooperation throughout this assignment.”

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has offered to offset the medical bills of victims of an accident involving a truck and multiple vehicles near Karu Bridge, along the Abuja-Keffi Expressway, Abuja on Wednesday.

The Senior Special Assistant to the Minister on Public Communication and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, disclosed the development in a statement on Thursday.

It was earlier reported that the FCT Emergency Management Department confirmed that 10 persons died, while 30 others suffered major burns and are currently hospitalised.

According to the statement, the minister also sympathised with the victims, and directed the Mandate Secretary on Health and Environment, Dr Adedolapo Fasawe, to ensure prompt treatment of the injured, which she did.

Wike said he had been briefed that seven of the 17 casualties received were referred to the National Hospital, while six of them with minor injuries were treated successfully, and three others with severe burns and inhalation and crush injuries are currently receiving treatment.

“The Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has sympathised with victims of the motor vehicle accident that occurred yesterday’s evening, in Karu, Abuj

“The minister, who described the accident as avoidable, expressed condolences to the families of those who lost their lives, and directed continuation of treatments of those who sustained injuries.a. He offered to foot the medical bills of the casualties.

“Speaking through his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, the FCT Minister said when he heard about the accident, he immediately directed the Mandate Secretary on Health and Environment, Dr Adedolapo Fasawe, to ensure prompt treatment of the injured, which she did.

“On my directive, the Mandate Secretary on Health and Environment, Dr Adedolapo Fasawe was in Asokoro District Hospital, till today’s morning and she was among the medical personnel who attended to the 17 casualties brought to the hospital.

“She briefed me that after initial stabilisation, seven of the 17 casualties received were referred to National Hospital, six with minor injuries were treated successfully, three with severe burns and inhalation and crush injuries are currently receiving treatment. However, one of the casualties with third degree burns passed away while being resuscitated,” the statement partly read.

The minister also called on road users, particularly heavy duty vehicle drivers, to adhere strictly to speed limits, while expressing sadness that the lives lost and vehicles destroyed in the accident could be avoided.

He also called on the Federal Road Safety Corps and other agencies to intensify efforts to maintain conpliance with traffic rules.

PUNCH

The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Abdulahi Ganduje has said that no political gang up will stop President Bola Tinubu’s re-election in 2027.

Gatekeeper reports that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar had on Thursday announced that a coalition of opposition political parties that will defeat the ruling party and Tinubu has been formed.

However Ganduje in a statement issued Thursday by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Enlightenment, Oliver Okpala, reiterated that any northerner interested in contesting in 2027 should suspend such ambition and wait till 2031.

He added that his support for Tinubu’s re-election in 2027 is unshakable and stands like the rock of Gibraltar.

The statement said, “Tinubu will surely emerge victorious because of his untrammelled performance since he assumed office as President of Nigeria.

“Forget the recent political gatherings and rantings from some politicians who presently do not have any identifiable political base.

“Their gathering from the Labour Party, PDP SDP and others are people with different political ideologies and selfish political interests that can never agree on any issue politically.

“The gathering is an assemblage of people with divergent political interests. No amount of political arrangement or gang up can stop the good people of Nigeria from re – electing Tinubu as President in 2027.”