He Looted What Wasn’t His! – Sara-Igbe Blasts Ibas Over Rivers’ Resources

The National Coordinator of the South-South Elders Forum, Anabs Sara-Igbe, has dismissed claims that Rivers State has ever experienced a crisis severe enough to justify a state of emergency.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Friday, Sara-Igbe argued that the appointment of former Sole Administrator Ibok-Ete Ibas neither added value to the state nor improved governance.

“I don’t know what role the administrator played,” he said. “Rivers was peaceful before he came and remained peaceful after he left. If there’s anywhere in Nigeria that deserves emergency rule, it should be Borno, Benue, Plateau, or Nasarawa—not Rivers.”

Sara-Igbe went further to accuse Ibas of exploiting Rivers’ resources without delivering tangible benefits.
“Somebody who isn’t even from Rivers came in, plundered our wealth, and left behind nothing meaningful for our people,” he lamented.

On the recent reconciliation between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, Sara-Igbe expressed optimism, describing it as the only viable path to progress.

“Sim is Wike’s boy, and now that they’ve resolved their differences, Rivers people are happy. The governor and the assembly have also reconciled. We believe peace has returned, and it must be sustained. Sim should continue to reach out to the assembly, to Wike, and to all stakeholders. That is the only way genuine development can reach every corner of Rivers State,” he added.