By Olawale Lamina
The Sole administrator of Rivers State, Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas Retd. has charged Rivers people to shun politics of bitterness and acrimony for peace to reign.
The State Sole Administrator stated this during an Inter-Denominational Thanksgiving Service in Port Harcourt, Admiral Ibas called on youths across the state not to allow themselves to be use as political tool,but to channel their strength and energy into useful ventures as Future Leaders.
The thanksgiving, The Pinnacle Times has learnt, was in appreciation of the end of emergency rule and the return of governor Siminalayi Fubara’s to democratic governance after the crisis that led to the declaration of the emergency rule in the state.
Rivers state was thrown into tomoil over control of political structure, in which lawmakers loyal to the immediate past governor of the state and the acclaimed political godfather of the elected governor, Nyesom Wike were embroiled in division crisis. Moreso, the emergency declaration came amid a deep political crisis in Rivers, characterised by conflict between Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, who is the current FCT Minister.
At the thanksgiving event, the state Sole Administrator particularly cautioned the youths to be wary of being used to foment crisis.
” As youth,you are the strength of the state who must not allow yourselves to be use by selfish individuals for political gain” he said.
Similarly, Ibas appealed to elders of the state to live by example and ensure the state is rededicated to God.
He also seized the occasion to extend appreciation to President Tinubu and the Rivers people for the support given to him within the time of his mandate.
Governor Siminalayi Fubara is expected to regain political control and power of the state as he regains his mandate on Thursday 18 September, 2025, at the expiration of six months state of emergency imposed on the state by the federal government led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
No reason was giving as to the visible non-appearance of the key actors (at the thanksgiving event) in the drama that led to emergency rule in the state.
Late Buhari Carbon Copy appearance draws Attention at Rivers Thanksgiving
An aged man simply referred to as Buhari Angus became cynosure of the eyes at the Rivers Thanksgiving Service.
‘Buhari’ reportedly entered the venue and took a seat. And , no sooner had he taken his sit than persons who could not but get distracted at the striking identity of the guest with that of the late former President Buhari started taking photos of him.
The Buhari incarnate as a man who preferred not to be identified would describe him changed the mood of everyone close to his seat. According to the source, the Buhari’s carbon copy was was even identical in many ways save in height.
But , in an attempt to unravel the background of ‘Buhari, sources informed that the aged man now referred to as Buhari hails from Opopo/ Nkoro in Rivers State.
When asked about his appearance at the event, he was quoted as saying that he was at the event to witness the gradual handover of power to a democratically elected governor.
It was all excitement the moment some persons started taking photos of him as he posed in style, cat walking and smiling the way real late former president Buhari would typically do.
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