Rivers State Sole Administrator, Retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas has warned tprotesters in the state demanding the reinstatement of suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, threatening to clamp down on them.
His Senior Special Adviser on Media , Hector Igbikiowubo,who conveyed this in a statement on Thursday urged the protesters to exercise restraint in their intermittent protests.
He emphasised that the gazette imposing an emergency rule in the state granted the sole administrator “sweeping powers.”
He stated the protesters are testing his patience and if they don’t stop, he will be forced to exercise his powers.
He said, “The fact that people are able to protest speaks to the administrator’s level of tolerance. If you check the gazette declaring emergency rule, you will see that it grants the administrator sweeping powers. Yes, sweeping powers.
“But fortunately for Rivers residents, the administrator has exercised restraint. These protests, for whatever reason, are testing the administrator’s will.”
He advised the Rivers residents, especially supporters of the suspended Governor, Fubara, to instead join hands with him to achieve sustainable peace and restoration of democratic institutions in the state.
“We urge Rivers residents to be restrained. It is important that we allow a cool head to prevail at this time. All hands must be on deck to restore democratic institutions, stressing that peace and restoration of democratic institutions in the state will not be achieved through protests, harassment, or attempts to intimidate the administrator,” he added.
He disclosed that as part of his peace-building efforts, has been taking steps to address the concerns of the protesters, through engagement with various stakeholder groups in the state.
“The administrator met with the leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria in the state on Tuesday. They had lengthy discussions, and the CAN leadership provided advice on the way forward and the things they would like to see done.
“This meeting took place at the administrator’s initiative, and he is making arrangements to meet with other important stakeholders in the state.”
According to him, the engagements with CAN and other stakeholders reflect the administrator’s commitment to restoring democracy in Rivers State.
“This speaks to his preparedness, his mindset. He is fully committed to restoring democracy in Rivers State,” he stated.
