Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (retd.), the Sole Administrator of Rivers State, has approved the appointment of administrators for all 23 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in the state, despite a recent Federal High Court order that restrained him from making such appointments.
This announcement came less than 24 hours after the court’s ruling.
The appointments, along with the reconstitution of previously suspended boards of agencies, commissions, and parastatals, were disclosed in a Special Government Announcement issued by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Prof. Ibibia Worika, on Wednesday morning.
“His Excellency The Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral (Rtd) Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas CFR, has approved the appointments of administrators for the 23 Local Government Areas of Rivers State,” the statement said.
“He has also approved the reconstitution of some boards of agencies, commissions, and parastatals, earlier suspended. All appointments take effect from Monday, the 7th of April 2025.”
This move has raised concerns given the ongoing legal uncertainty surrounding it.
On Tuesday, Justice Adam Muhammed of the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt, in the case of suit no. FHC/PH/CS/46/2025, granted an interim order that prohibited the Sole Administrator from making such appointments.
The suit was filed by a civic group, PILEX Centre for Civic Education Initiative, led by Courage Msirimovu.
Msirimovu spoke to the press, expressing his displeasure with the Administrator’s decision to go ahead with the appointments despite the court’s order.
“This is a blatant disregard for the rule of law,” Msirimovu remarked.
“We are witnessing a dangerous trend where court orders are treated as mere suggestions. This undermines the very fabric of democracy and governance.”
In a further administrative shakeup, Ibas also nullified all ongoing procurement and tender processes conducted by Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) within the state.
According to a prior statement from the SSG, this cancellation was a result of the absence of an appropriation law following a recent Supreme Court judgment.
“All MDAs that carried out such tender processes are directed to refund the fees collected from contractors immediately,” the statement added.
Just last week, Ibas suspended all heads of MDAs in the state with immediate effect. Analysts view this move as part of a broader effort to consolidate administrative control.
The administrators for the 23 Local Government Areas of Rivers State include:
1. Mr Okroiyobi Animiete – Abua/Odual LGA
2. Mr Goodluck M. Ihenacho – Ahoada East LGA
3. Mr Promise Jacob – Ahoada West LGA
4. Dr Tamunotonye Peters – Akuku Toru LGA
5. Surveyor Atajit Francis – Andoni LGA
6. Barrister Ibiapuve Charles – Asari Toru LGA
7. Mr Kingsley N. Banigo – Bonny LGA
8. Dr Sokari Ibifuro Francis – Degema LGA
9. Dr Gloria Obo Dibiah – Eleme LGA
10. Barr Franklin P. Ajinwon – Emohua LGA
11. Dr Onyemachi S. Nwankwor – Etche LGA
12. Prof. Gospel G. Kpee – Gokana LGA
13. Mr Isaiah Christian Nobuawu – Ikwerre LGA
14. Dr Barinedum Nwibere – Khana LGA
15. Dr Clifford Ndu Walter – Obio Akpor LGA
16. Dr Chukwuma Aje – Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA
17. Eliel Owubokiri – Ogu/Bolo LGA
18. Mr Thompson Isodiki – Okrika LGA
19. Manager Ikechi Wala – Omuma LGA
20. Mr Fred Apiafi – Opobo /Nkoro LGA
21. Eletuuo Ihianacho – Oyigbo LGA
22. Dr Sam Kalagbor – Port Harcourt LGA
23. Mr Nuka O. S. Gbipah – Tai LGA
