JUST-IN: Tinubu swears-in Ibas as Rivers sole administrator

• A power struggle between Governor Fubara and former Governor Nyesom Wike, now FCT Minister, led to governance disruptions in Rivers State.
• Vice Admiral Ibok-Étè Ibas (retd.), former Chief of Naval Staff, was appointed as Rivers’ sole administrator to restore stability and governance.

President Bola Tinubu has officially inaugurated Vice Admiral Ibok-Étè Ibas (retd.) as the sole administrator of Rivers State.

The swearing-in of Ibas took place around 03:00 pm at the State House in Abuja.

The brief event was attended by the President’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, Attorney General of the Federation, Mr Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, and Principal Secretary to the President, Mr Hakeem Muri-Okunola.

Ibas arrived at the Presidential Villa approximately at 12:48 pm (local time).

On Tuesday night, Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, suspending Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu, and all elected Rivers State House of Assembly members for six months.

During a nationwide address, Tinubu pointed to ongoing political instability, breaches of the constitution, and security concerns as the justification for the drastic decision.

The political turmoil, which has disrupted governance in the oil-producing state, arose from a power struggle between Governor Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, the current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.

In line with the directive, the President appointed Vice Admiral Ibok-Étè Ibas (retd.) to oversee the state’s administration until stability is restored. Ibas previously served as Chief of Naval Staff between 2015 and 2021 under former President Muhammadu Buhari.

Tinubu declared, “In the circumstance, having soberly reflected on and evaluated the political situation in Rivers State the Governor and Deputy Governor of Rivers State has failed to make a request to me as President to issue this proclamation as required by section 305(5) of the 1999 Constitution as amended, it has become inevitably compelling for me to invoke the provision of section 305 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended, to declare a state of emergency in Rivers State with effect from today, March 18, 2025 and I so do.”

He further announced, “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 also stated, “In the meantime, I hereby nominate Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (retd.) as Administrator to take charge of the affairs of the state in the interest of the good people of Rivers State. 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.”