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ABUJA, Nigeria - President Bola Tinubu, on Wednesday, officially appointed Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (Rtd) as the new Sole Administrator of Rivers State during a ceremony held at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
The event, which took place in the President's office, was attended by Femi Gbajabiamila, the Chief of Staff; Lateef Fagbemi, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice; Hakeem Muri-Okunola, the Principal Private Secretary to the President; and Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy. The swearing-in occurred just before 3 PM.
It should be noted that Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State on Tuesday night, suspending Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Ngozi Odu, along with all elected members of the Rivers State House of Assembly for an initial period of six months.
In a national address, Tinubu cited ongoing political instability, violations of constitutional law, and security threats as the reasons underpinning this unprecedented action. The turmoil affecting governance in the oil-rich state arises from a power struggle involving Governor Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, who is now the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.
As part of this directive, the President appointed Vice Admiral Ibok-Étè Ibas (Rtd) to manage the state's affairs until stability is reinstated. Ibas previously served as Chief of Naval Staff from 2015 to 2021 under former President Muhammadu Buhari.
"In light of this situation, and after careful consideration of the political climate in Rivers State, as well as the failure of the Governor and Deputy Governor to request this proclamation from me as President as required by section 305(5) of the 1999 Constitution as amended, it has become necessary for me to invoke the provisions of section 305 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended, to declare a state of emergency in Rivers State effective today, March 18, 2025, and I hereby do so
"Consequently, the Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, his
Deputy, Ngozi Odu, and all elected members of the Rivers State House of Assembly are suspended for an initial period of six months.
"In the interim, I appoint Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (Rtd.) as Administrator to oversee the state's affairs for the benefit of the people of Rivers State. For clarity, this declaration does not impact the judicial arm of Rivers State, which will continue to operate within their constitutional authority," the President stated.
