The Rivers Sole Administrator, Vice Adm. Ibok-Ete Ibas (Rtd), has warned against the destruction of national infrastructure in the name of agitation in the state.

“We will not act arbitrarily but will not hesitate to enforce the law where necessary; let no one be in doubt. We will uphold justice and fairness, but we will also ensure that civil order prevails,” Ibas said while pledging his commitment to promote peace and stability in Rivers state.

Ibas who was speaking at a media briefing in Port Harcourt on Thursday, stated that his role in the state was primarily to ensure stability, peace and security.

“My responsibility is primarily to ensure stability, peace, security, and the general well-being of Rivers people.

“I accepted this call not for personal ambition, but out of an abiding commitment to the peace, stability, and prosperity of the state,” he said.

He said that the political crisis in the state, which deepened divisions among the people, forced him to accept the call to serve.

“The impasse of nearly two years in Rivers has paralyzed governance and desecrated democratic institutions in the state.

“The development has also threatened security and undermined the economic and social fabric of the state.

“As a son of the Niger Delta, I cannot afford to ignore these realities, I recognise the weight of the moment, the expectations of the people, and the challenges that lie ahead,” he said.

The retired navy chief urged Rivers people to remain law-abiding, peaceful and optimistic, saying, “I urge you to set aside your differences and work together to rebuild trust, restore stability and protect the future.

Ibas stated that the task ahead was the responsibility of every stakeholder in the state, and called for meaningful inputs from all and sundry.

“We are together in this, all Rivers people, elders, political leaders, traditional rulers, leaders of faith, youth, women, media and civil society.

“I extend my hand of fellowship to every son and daughter of the state regardless of political affiliation, political status, political leaning, ethnicity or creed.

“I assure you that Rivers will move forward once again and reclaim its rightful place as the oil and gas capital of Nigeria and Africa,” he said.

The sole administrator warned against the destruction of national infrastructure in the name of agitation, saying that such an attitude is inimical to the growth of the country.

“We will not act arbitrarily but will not hesitate to enforce the law where necessary; let no one be in doubt. We will uphold justice and fairness, but we will also ensure that civil order prevails,” he said.

He charged the security agencies to remain neutral, respect the rights of the citizenry and do nothing to escalate tensions.

President Tinubu had on Tuesday suspended Gov. Siminalayi Fubara, Deputy Governor, Ngozi Ordu, and members of the state Assembly, citing the prolonged political crisis in the state as his reason.

Consequently, the President appointed Ibas as the sole administrator of Rivers State.

The Senate, at its plenary on Thursday, approved President Tinubu’s State of Emergency Proclamation in Rivers State.

Earlier, the red chamber moved into closed session to consider the President’s request.

However, knowing that it would be a Herculean task to secure the required 2/3 of the Senate to approve the request, the Senate went into close session and adopted the voice vote which is subject to manipulation by the presiding officer, the Senate President.

When the Senate plenary commenced on Thursday, Senate President Godswill Akpabio read the official communication from President Tinubu to formally inform the Senate of his decision.

In the letter on the 2025 State of Emergency in Rivers State, Tinubu said

“In compliance with the provisions of Section 305(2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), I hereby forward, for the consideration of the Senate, copies of the official gazettes of the 2025 State of Emergency Proclamation.

“The main features of the proclamation are as follows: A declaration of a state of emergency in one state of the federation, namely, Rivers State.

“The suspension from office of the Governor, Deputy Governor, and all members of the State House of Assembly.

The appointment of a retired Vice Admiral as Administrator to oversee the state, subject to any instructions or regulations issued by me.

“While I look forward to the Senate’s expeditious consideration of this matter, please accept, Mr. Senate President, the assurances of my highest consideration.

Yours sincerely, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria”.

Akpabio quickly committed the letter to the “Committee of the Whole Senate for immediate consideration”.

Immediately after this, the Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele moved a motion to reorder the items on the Order Paper of the day to consider the state of emergency proclamation first.

He said “Mr. President, in accordance with Order 1(b) of our rules, I move that we reorder the agenda on the Order Paper to enable us to take the first order of the day, which is my motion pursuant to the proclamation of a state of emergency in Rivers State. Mr. President has just read the correspondence from the President regarding this proclamation. I so move.”

The Senate Minority Leader, Abba Moro in seconding the motion said, “Mr. President, distinguished colleagues, I second the motion moved by the Senate Leader that the Senate reorders its Order Paper for today to take the first order of the day. I so second”.

The Senate President said “Distinguished colleagues, the motion has been moved and seconded that we reorder the items on our Order Paper. Those in support, say ‘Aye.’ Those against, say ‘Nay.’ The Ayes have it”.

Senator Henry Seriake Dickson (Bayelsa West) who rose on a point of order drew attention to the specific provisions of Senate rules, saying “as senators, we are guided by two key documents: the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Senate Standing Orders.

“Specifically, Order 135 of our rules outlines the procedure for handling a state of emergency proclamation. It states that when the President issues such a proclamation, he shall, in a closed session, brief the Senate on the circumstances leading to the decision.

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“In light of this, Mr. President, I respectfully request that we adhere to Order 135 and move into a closed session for this briefing.”

Senate President noted his point of order and duly upheld it and therefore said “Senate will now proceed to a closed session as required by Order 135”.

However, when it was clear that the House of Representatives has already approved the state of emergency proclamation by President Bola Tinubu, it was just a matter of time that the Senate would most likely toe the same line after the close session, which was what happened.

Horror as many were feared killed on Wednesday night around the Karu bridge area of the FCT, following explosion of a fuel-laden truck.

Bewsblast was told by eyewitnesses that the truck lost control around the Karu bridge, an area between Kugbo and Nyanya, on the Abuja-Keffi Expressway.

They claimed some cars were trapped in the incident with their occupants being unable to escape.

Official reports from the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), the Fire Service and other agencies are being awaited to know the actual number of lives lost.