JUST IN: TINUBU SWEARS IN VICE ADMIRAL IBAS AS SOLE ADMINISTRATOR OF RIVERS STATE

By Olayiwola Ibrahim // President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has officially sworn in Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (Rtd.) as the Sole Administrator of Rivers State.

The brief ceremony took place at the State House, Abuja, at approximately 3:00 PM on Wednesday, with key government officials in attendance, including the Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), and the Principal Secretary to the President, Hakeem Muri-Okunola.

Ibas arrived at the Presidential Villa at about 12:48 PM before his swearing-in.

The appointment follows Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State on Tuesday night, which led to the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu, and all elected members of the state House of Assembly for an initial six-month period.

In a national broadcast, Tinubu cited prolonged political instability, constitutional breaches, and security threats as justification for the extraordinary measure.

The crisis, which has disrupted governance in the oil-rich state, stems from a power struggle between Governor Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, now Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.

Explaining his decision, Tinubu stated:

Having soberly reflected on and evaluated the political situation in Rivers State, and in the absence of a formal request from the Governor or Deputy Governor as required by Section 305(5) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), it has become imperative for me to invoke Section 305 of the Constitution to declare a state of emergency in Rivers State, effective March 18, 2025.

By this declaration, the Governor, Deputy Governor, and all elected members of the State House of Assembly are suspended for an initial period of six months.

In the interim, i hereby appoint Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (Rtd.) as Administrator to oversee the affairs of the state in the interest of its people.

For clarity, this declaration does not affect the judicial arm of Rivers State, which shall continue to function in accordance with its constitutional mandate.

Vice Admiral Ibas, who served as Chief of Naval Staff from 2015 to 2021 under former President Muhammadu Buhari, is expected to stabilize the state’s governance until normalcy is restored.