Outgoing Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Ibok-Ete Ibas, has urged residents and political actors to put the interest of the state above personal ambition.
He stressed that no political victory is worth the blood of any citizen.
Ibas made the remark on Sunday, during an interdenominational thanksgiving service at the Ecumenical Centre, Port Harcourt.
Advertisement
The event was held to mark Rivers State’s transition from emergency rule back to democratic governance following the conduct of local council elections.
He reminded stakeholders of the circumstances that led to his appointment by President Bola Tinubu in March, when Rivers was placed under emergency rule for six months due to instability and political tensions.
According to him, the period provided an opportunity for the restoration of calm, but the state must now build on that peace.
“Political actors must sheath their swords, because no political victory or personal gain is worth the blood of any Rivers citizen,” Ibas declared.
He further emphasized that politics should not be used as a weapon to divide or destroy, adding that unity and development must guide the state going forward.
“The progress and prosperity of Rivers State must be placed above personal or partisan interest; politics must never be an excuse to destroy the very state we are called to serve,” he said.
Ibas also highlighted that prior to the intervention, Rivers was “torn by divisions, instability, and broken trust,” warning that a relapse would jeopardize hard-earned progress.
