Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), the Sole Administrator of Rivers State, has appointed new administrators for all 23 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in the state. The appointments took effect immediately, according to a government statement released on Wednesday morning.
The announcement came just hours after a Federal High Court in Port Harcourt reportedly ordered Ibas not to make such appointments. The court, presided over by Justice Adam Muhammed, gave the order on Tuesday in suit No. FHC/PH/CS/46/2025. The case was filed by the PILEX Centre for Civic Education Initiative, led by Courage Msirimovu, against Ibas in his official capacity.
Despite the court ruling, the state government went ahead with the appointments and also reconstituted several boards of government agencies, commissions, and parastatals that had earlier been suspended.
The statement said, “His Excellency, The Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral (Rtd) Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas CFR, has approved the appointments of administrators for the 23 Local Government Areas of Rivers State. He has also approved the reconstitution of some boards of agencies, commissions, and parastatals, earlier suspended. All appointments take effect from Monday, the 7th of April 2025.”
The statement was signed by Professor Ibibia Worika, Secretary to the State Government (SSG).
Some of the newly appointed LGA administrators include Mr. Okroiyobi Animete for Abua/Odual, Mr. Goodluck M. Iheanacho for Ahoada East, and Mr. Promise Jacob for Ahoada West. The names of the remaining administrators were not included in the initial announcement.
The appointments have stirred mixed reactions across the state, especially given the court order against such action.
Courage Msirimovu, the activist who filed the case said, “This move completely disrespects the rule of law. The court made it clear that no appointments should be made until the case is heard. We will not stand by and watch the law being ignored.”
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Legal experts say the situation could lead to a constitutional crisis if not handled carefully.
Barrister Emeka Ogbonna, a Port Harcourt-based lawyer said, “The Sole Administrator must respect judicial orders. Ignoring a court ruling undermines the legal system and sets a dangerous precedent for governance in the state.”
Meanwhile, Ibas has continued making sweeping changes since he assumed office as Sole Administrator. Last week, he suspended all heads of Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) in the state. He also cancelled all ongoing procurement and tender processes carried out by MDAs.
The cancellation, according to the SSG, was due to the recent Supreme Court ruling and the absence of a formal appropriation law at the time the tenders were conducted.
“The Sole Administrator directed that all fees collected for such tenders should be refunded to the affected contractors without delay,” the earlier statement said.
Ibas was appointed Sole Administrator by the federal government earlier this year following intense political tension in Rivers State. His role, while temporary, has given him wide powers to manage the state’s affairs. However, critics argue that some of his actions are raising legal and constitutional concerns.
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