The argument over who would swear in Chief Nyeson Ezenwo Wike, the governor of Rivers State, and his deputy, Dr. Mrs. Ipalibo Harry-Banigo, was laid to rest yesterday when the Chief Judge of Bayelsa State, Justice Kate Ibiri, administered the oath of office on both Wike and Ipalibo as the governor and deputy governor of the state.

Before administering the oath of office on the duo, Justice Ibiri told supporters of Governor Wike and party faithful at the Liberation Stadium Elekahia, Port Harcourt that she was there because the Chief Justice of the federation had asked her to administer the oath of office on the duo.

She noted that it was necessary to clear the air on newspapers speculation and several arguments about her constitutional right to administer oath of office as Bayelsa Chief Judge on the governor and deputy governor of Rivers State.

Ipalibo Harry-Banigo, the first female Deputy Governor in Rivers State and a medical doctor is a former secretary to the State government and a former commissioner for health.

Governor Wike took his oath of office at 10: 51 am.

Delivering his first speech as the governor of Rivers State, Governor Wike said the game of injustice, impunity; administrative decadence perpetrated by Amaechi was over.

He said his administration would give priority to education, infrastructure development, security, prompt payment of workers’ salaries, agriculture, tourism, health and creating policies that will promote healthy environment and social development with the aim of making Rivers state a commercial hub.

He immediately ordered the re-opening of courts in Rivers State by appointing the embattled Justice Daisy Okocha, the sister to Justice O. C. J Okocha, as the new Rivers State Chief Judge.

The governor also appointed Justice Christy Gabriel Nwankwo as the acting President of Rivers State Customary Court of Appeal and promised to swear them in on Monday.

He promises to conduct a forensic audit on alleged poor performance and looting that took place during governor Amaechi’s administration, especially in the area of award of projects.

“As a government, we shall be worker-friendly. We shall give priority to prompt payment of workers’ salaries, promotion and training for efficient service delivery,” he said.

*Adapted from The Nation.Photo shows Justice Ibiri

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