Democracy Day Dilemma: -Should Ibokette Ibas Participate By: Ovieomeleh

Democracy Day Dilemma: 

-Should Ibokette Ibas Participate 

By: Ovieomeleh 

As Rivers State prepares to mark Democracy Day on June 12, the participation of Admiral Ibokette Ibas; appointed as the state’s sole administrator, has sparked intense debate. At the heart of the controversy is a critical question: Can a sole administrator appointed amid the suspension of elected officials genuinely represent democratic values on a day meant to celebrate them?

A Departure from Democratic Norms

Democracy Day is not merely ceremonial, it is a symbolic reaffirmation of the people’s right to choose their leaders through the ballot box. However, Admiral Ibas’s appointment followed the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Deputy Governor Ipalibo Harry Banigo, and the entire House of Assembly. This extraordinary centralization of power casts a long shadow over the event and raises troubling questions about the erosion of democratic institutions in Rivers State.

In a true democracy, legitimacy flows from the will of the electorate. The replacement of elected leadership with an unelected sole administrator undermines that principle. 

Admiral Ibas’s potential presence at the celebration may inadvertently validate an anti-democratic process at a time when citizens are already feeling voiceless and excluded.

Concentration of Power and Its Dangers

One of democracy’s foundational principles is the separation of powers and the representation of diverse voices in governance. 

The sole administrator model, by contrast, concentrates power in a single individual, short-circuiting the checks and balances that prevent authoritarian overreach. Admiral Ibas’s involvement in Democracy Day could reinforce fears that Rivers State is drifting toward centralized, unaccountable rule.

Many observers argue that such participation would not only be tone-deaf but also risk legitimizing a process that bypassed public consent. 

Rather than healing divisions, his presence could deepen distrust between the government and the governed.

Public Perception and Historical Tensions

Perception is powerful in politics, and public memory runs deep. 

For many Rivers residents, Admiral Ibas’s administration is associated not with democratic revival but with democratic regression. 

This sentiment was starkly illustrated when Rivers women once publicly rejected an outreach effort by his wife, a symbolic act that reflected the growing disconnect between the state’s interim leadership and its citizens.

Moreover, the federal government’s role, particularly President Bola Tinubu’s decision to suspend the state’s elected officials, remains a source of national debate. 

Many Nigerians, especially within Rivers State, continue to call for a reversal of this decision and the reinstatement of democratic governance. Admiral Ibas’s participation in the festivities risks appearing as a tacit endorsement of this contested status quo.

A Risk to Peace and Stability

Given the tense political atmosphere, Admiral Ibas’s attendance could trigger protests or civil unrest. 

Civil society organizations, opposition parties, and aggrieved citizens may interpret his involvement as a provocation, rather than a gesture of unity. 

Democracy Day should be a moment of collective pride, not a flashpoint for political confrontation.

A Constructive Alternative

Rather than take center stage during the Democracy Day celebrations, Admiral Ibas could use the moment to engage more meaningfully with the people of Rivers State. 

By stepping aside from the spotlight and listening to public grievances, he could demonstrate a respect for democratic values, even as the state navigates an undemocratic reality.

Such restraint would not only affirm his commitment to dialogue and accountability but could also help de-escalate tensions and open space for national leaders to reconsider the ongoing political arrangement in Rivers State.

Democracy Day is a celebration of the people’s power and the principle of elected leadership. In the current climate, Admiral Ibokette Ibas’s participation could send the wrong message; one that undermines, rather than upholds, the very ideals the day represents.

As Rivers State confronts a defining moment in its democratic journey, the most honorable course for Admiral Ibas may be to step back, listen, and allow space for the voices of the people to be heard again. 

In doing so, he can help foster the conditions necessary for the return of democratic governance, and ensure that Democracy Day is not just symbolic, but sincere.