The newly sworn-in Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd) has said that maintaining law and order takes utmost priority as he assumes office.
Recall that upon the declaration of state of emergency on Tuesday, President Bola Tinubu appointed Ibas to take charge in the troubled state for six months, pending resolution of the political crisis.
Fielding questions from reporters shortly after taking the oath of office at the presidential villa, Ibas spoke on how he intends to pilot the affairs of the state.
“First of all, I think we know the circumstances that led to where we are here.
“Mr. President made it very clear in his broadcast, if the main issue is that of maintaining law and order in the state, I think for any meaningful activities to take place in Rivers State, that is the utmost task that I have to work together with all other stakeholders to ensure that we bring peace, order and security and stability to the people and government of River State and Nigeria at large.”
Tinubu had cited the protracted political crisis in Rivers State for the decision to impose emergency rule in the state.
While the face-off between Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike and Governor Siminalayi Fubara escalated, Tinubu revealed that he felt disturbed and needed to take immediate actions to quell the crisis, which he said was depriving the citizens of Rivers the dividends of democracy.
