No political victory worth Rivers citizens’ blood, says Ibas

Outgoing Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Ibok-Ete Ibas, has urged political actors in the state to place the collective interest of the people above partisan considerations, stressing that no political victory is worth the blood of any citizen.

Ibas made the appeal yesterday at an interdenominational thanksgiving service held at the Ecumenical Centre, Port Harcourt, to mark the state’s transition back to democratic governance after the conduct of local council elections.

President Bola Tinubu had in March appointed Ibas to oversee Rivers State for six months following the declaration of emergency rule.

Reflecting on the period preceding the intervention, the Sole Administrator noted that Rivers was engulfed in divisions, instability and broken trust.

He said: “Political actors must sheath their swords because no political victory or personal gain is worth the blood of any Rivers citizen. 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.”

Ibas maintained that peace and stability are essential for the state’s development, urging stakeholders to embrace dialogue and reconciliation in the interest of the people.