‘’No Second Chance After This’’ Ibas Urges Rivers’ Political Actors To Sheathe Swords
Rivers State Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, has called on political actors in the state to sheathe their swords, saying the progress and prosperity of Rivers State must be placed above personal or partisan interest.
This is as Ibas said his administration has planted the seed for reconciliation, but said it’s the people who nurture it to take root.
He urged all stakeholders, including leaders, elders, politicians, and citizens, to put the State first at all times adding that warring political actors in the state might not get second chance after this.
Ibas spoke during an Interdenominational Thanksgiving Service in commemoration of Transitional activities to usher in Democratic Governance in Rivers State in Port Harcourt on Sunday.
Notable politicians in Rivers State, including the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike were absent at the event.
Aside from the Chairman of the Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers, many monarchs in the state were visibly absent at Thanksgiving.
However, Permanent Secretaries, local government chairmen, heads of boards, agencies, parastatals, and service commanders in the state graced the occasion with their presence.
Ibas said last week that he has ‘successfully achieved’ the mandate given to him by President Bola Tinubu in Rivers State.
Recall that he was appointed Administrator of the State on March 18th for an initial period of six months, by the President who declared a State of Emergency in Rivers following rising political tensions and the attack on oil pipelines in the state by suspected militants.
Tinubu also suspended the State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, his Deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu and the state House of Assembly for the period, which will elapse on September 18th.
In his address at the event, the Administrator stated, Six months ago, His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, declared a state of emergency in River State.
At that moment, our beloved state stood at a crossroad, torn by divisions, instability, and broken trust.
By God’s grace and with the support of Mr. President and all of you, we have worked through those difficult days together.
“Today, as a people, we return thanks to God for preserving our lives, granting us peace, and allowing the successful conduct of the local government council elections across the state and thus laying the foundation for the return of democratic governance in Rivers State,” he said.
Quoting some Bible passages he said thanksgiving is a solemn testimony of God’s faithfulness to the State, saying, “We have survived storms Political, social, economic, and through it all, God has been faithful.”
Ibas continued, “The seeds of reconciliation have been planted. These seeds need your deliberate nurture to take root.
“Our collective sacrifices and commitment to peace are what we must all strive to guide at this time.
“My brothers and sisters, this Ecumenical Centre (venue of the event) is itself a symbol of unity, different denominations under one roof, lifting one voice to one God. In the same spirit, Rivers people must rise above bitterness, rivalry, and self-interest to pursue the greater good of our state.
“The progress and prosperity of the River State must be placed above personal and / or partisan interest.
“I make a special appeal to our political actors, sheathe your sword. Politics must never be an excuse to destroy the very state we are called to serve.
“The progress and prosperity of the River State must be placed above personal or partisan interest. River State cannot afford another season of division and acrimony.
“We must forgive one another, reconcile with sincerity, and embrace tolerance. Let us remember that no political victory or personal gain is worth the blood of our brothers and sisters.’
He added that forgiveness, reconciliation, and healing should be embraced because where there is peace, there is progress, and where there is love, there is prosperity.
Ibas called on the youths as he described them as the strength of Rivers State, while urging them not to allow themselves to be used as tools for violence.
In his words,” Channel your energy into building, creating, and sustaining peace. Your future, our collective future, depends on it.”
READ ALSO: Rivers’ State Of Emergency Expires September 18 – Wike
“While efforts at peace and reconciliation take hold, Ibas urged all stakeholders, leaders, elders, political actors, and the citizens alike to ‘put Rivers State first.’
“Let us guide the peace we have, nurture it with love, and grow it with stability and prosperity for generations yet unborn.”
“Our elders must continue to guide with wisdom. Our faith leaders must sustain prayers for peace.
