Rivers State Sole Administrator Suspends All Political Appointees In Bold Move.
The Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, has announced the immediate suspension of all political appointees and office holders across the state. The decision, which has sent shockwaves through the political landscape of Rivers State, was confirmed in a statement released earlier today by the Administrator’s Chief of Staff.
The sweeping suspension, effective as of Wednesday, 26 March 2025, affects a wide range of officials, including the Secretary to the State Government, the Chief of Staff, all commissioners, chairpersons and members of boards, agencies, commissions, and parastatals, as well as all special advisers, special assistants, and senior special assistants. This action is said to be authorised under powers granted to Vice Admiral Ibas by President Bola Tinubu, following the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State on 18 March 2025.
In the official statement, the Chief of Staff directed the suspended officials to hand over their duties to the Permanent Secretaries in their respective ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs). In cases where no Permanent Secretary is available, the most senior Director or Head of Administration is to assume leadership responsibilities temporarily. The move is seen as an effort to stabilise governance in the state amid ongoing political tensions.
Vice Admiral Ibas, a former Chief of Naval Staff, was appointed Sole Administrator earlier this month with a mandate to restore law and order in Rivers State. His tenure began with the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy Dr Ngozi Ordu, and members of the House of Assembly for an initial six-month period, a decision that has already sparked significant controversy. Today’s announcement marks a further escalation in his administration’s efforts to assert control and reshape the state’s political framework.
The suspension has drawn mixed reactions from stakeholders. Some view it as a necessary step to address the prolonged political crisis that has gripped Rivers State, while others have condemned it as an overreach of authority. Maobuoye Nangi-Obu, Secretary-General of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide, described the move as “nothing short of a full-blown military dictatorship in action,” arguing that it undermines the rights of Rivers people.
Meanwhile, Vice Admiral Ibas has wasted no time in putting his stamp on the state’s administration. On Wednesday, he swore in Professor Ibibia Lucky Worika as the new Secretary to the State Government, urging him to “hit the ground running” and bring his expertise to bear in restoring stability. The Sole Administrator has also directed the Heads of Local Government Administration to submit detailed reports on council activities and has ordered the payment of outstanding salaries owed to council workers, signalling a focus on both accountability and public welfare.
As Rivers State navigates this unprecedented period of transition, all eyes will be on Vice Admiral Ibas to see how his administration unfolds. With legal challenges already emerging— including a suit filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja seeking to void his appointment—the road ahead promises to be anything but smooth. For now, the people of Rivers State await further developments in what has become a rapidly evolving political saga.
