In response to the ongoing political crisis in Rivers State, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (rtd) as the military administrator of the state. The announcement was made during a nationwide broadcast on Tuesday.
Ibas, who served as Nigeria’s Chief of Naval Staff from July 2015 to January 2021, will take over the state’s administration following the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu, and all members of the Rivers State House of Assembly for six months.
Explaining the decision, Tinubu stated:
“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.”
He further announced Ibas’s appointment, emphasizing the need to stabilize governance in the state:
“In the meantime, I hereby nominate Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (Rtd) as Administrator to take charge of the affairs of the state in the interest of the good people of Rivers State.”
The president clarified that the judiciary in Rivers State would continue to function independently, stating:
“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.”
He also outlined the administrator’s scope of authority, noting:
“The Administrator will not make any new laws. He will, however, be free to formulate regulations as may be found necessary to do his job, but such regulations will need to be considered and approved by the Federal Executive Council and promulgated by the President for the state.”
