Emergency Rule Has Restored Calm, Strengthened Institutions in Rivers — Group

The National Patriotic Front (NPF) has declared that emergency rule in Rivers State has helped restore peace, reinforce key institutions, and advance major development projects—contrary to initial fears of deepening instability.

In a statement signed by NPF President Marcus Dakas and released over the weekend in Port Harcourt, the group praised the efforts of the state’s Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), for implementing security and governance reforms that have brought stability.

The NPF highlighted the deployment of a joint security task force across cities and vulnerable areas, which it said has significantly reduced violent crime and quelled communal tensions.

According to the group, Port Harcourt and surrounding areas—once plagued by unrest—have seen a return to normalcy and improved public confidence.

Beyond security, the NPF commended Ibas for pushing forward key infrastructure and healthcare projects. These include the reconstruction of the Rivers State House of Assembly complex, the completion of the Mother and Child Hospital in Port Harcourt, and the reassessment of the N150 billion Port Harcourt Ring Road project.

The group also noted ongoing preparations for the local government elections scheduled for August 30, 2025. It confirmed that funding has been released to the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RVSIEC) to ensure a smooth electoral process.

The NPF further recalled that the House of Representatives Ad-Hoc Committee on Rivers State, led by House Leader Professor Julius Ihonvbere, had commended Ibas during an oversight visit and expressed optimism about the state’s path back to democratic governance.