Tinubu Swears In Vice Admiral Ibas As Rivers State Sole Administrator.
President Bola Tinubu, on Wednesday, officially swore in Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (Rtd) as the Sole Administrator of Rivers State. The ceremony took place at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, marking a significant step in the federal government’s intervention in the state’s political crisis.
The swearing-in, conducted in the President’s office just before 3pm, was attended by key government officials, including Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila, Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Lateef Fagbemi, Principal Private Secretary to the President Hakeem Muri-Okunola, and Special Adviser on Information and Strategy Bayo Onanuga.
Vice Admiral Ibas’s appointment follows President Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State on Tuesday night. The move 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 period of six months.
In a national address, the President justified the decision by citing prolonged political instability, constitutional breaches, and security concerns in the state. The crisis, which has disrupted governance in the oil-rich region, stems from a power struggle between Governor Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, who now serves as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.
“With sober reflection on the political situation in Rivers State, and given that the Governor and Deputy Governor failed to request a proclamation as required by the Constitution, I find it necessary to invoke Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution to declare a state of emergency,” Tinubu stated.
The President reassured the public that the judicial arm of government in Rivers State would continue to function normally. He expressed confidence in Vice Admiral Ibas, who previously served as Chief of Naval Staff from 2015 to 2021, to restore stability and oversee the state’s affairs during this period.
The appointment of Ibas is expected to bring temporary leadership while efforts are made to resolve the political tensions and restore normal governance in the state.
