President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed Vice Admiral Ibok-ete Ibas (Rtd) as the Administrator of Rivers State following his declaration of a state of emergency in the oil-rich region. The appointment, which was announced during a nationwide broadcast on Tuesday, comes amid a deepening political crisis in the state.
Tinubu said the appointment of Ibas was necessary to restore order and ensure the smooth running of the state.
“In the meantime, I hereby nominate Vice Admiral Ibok-ete Ibas (Rtd) as Administrator to take charge of the affairs of the state in the interest of the good people of Rivers State,” the president stated.
He clarified that the declaration of emergency rule would not affect the judicial arm of government, which would continue to function as mandated by the Constitution.
“For the avoidance of doubt, this declaration does not affect the judicial arm of Rivers State, which shall continue to function in accordance with their constitutional mandate,” Tinubu added.
As part of the emergency measures, Tinubu announced the suspension of Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and all 27 elected members of the State House of Assembly. Their suspension will last for an initial period of six months.
“By this declaration, the Governor of Rivers State, Mr Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Mrs Ngozi Odu, and all elected members of the House of Assembly of Rivers State are hereby suspended for an initial period of six months,” Tinubu stated.
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The suspension follows months of political unrest in Rivers, which has led to a governance crisis and a breakdown of law and order.
Rivers State has been embroiled in a political feud involving Governor Fubara, members of the state legislature, and other political stakeholders. The crisis escalated after the demolition of the Rivers State House of Assembly in December 2023, which left the legislative arm paralyzed. Despite a Supreme Court ruling affirming the legitimacy of 27 lawmakers, tensions have continued to rise.
The situation worsened in recent days, with reports of militant attacks on oil pipelines and growing insecurity. Tinubu cited these incidents as part of the justification for declaring a state of emergency and taking extraordinary measures to restore peace.
Vice Admiral Ibok-ete Ibas (Rtd) is a retired naval officer with extensive experience in security and governance. He previously served as the Chief of Naval Staff of Nigeria, where he was instrumental in combating maritime insecurity and oil theft in the Niger Delta.
His appointment signals Tinubu’s intent to restore stability to Rivers State by bringing in a seasoned military officer to oversee governance during the emergency period.