The recent appointment of retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas as Sole Administrator of Rivers State has generated significant political unrest and public debate. Many observers argue that Ibas’s conduct since assuming office has undermined the goal of restoring stability to the volatile oil-rich state.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

On March 18, 2025, President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, suspending Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu, and all elected House of Assembly members for six months. Tinubu justified the move as necessary to curb rising tensions between the state’s executive and legislative arms. However, critics believe the president downplayed the underlying conflict between Governor Fubara and his predecessor, current FCT Minister Nyesom Wike.

Despite the backlash, Ibas was sworn in the following day at the Presidential Villa, with key officials including the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, in attendance.

Since his appointment, Ibas has systematically dismantled the governance structures built under Fubara. He appointed a naval officer, Commodore Aminu Shehu, as Chief of Staff and dismissed all political appointees. He suspended heads of state ministries, departments, and agencies, reconstituted boards, and controversially appointed sole administrators for all 23 local government areas—actions that directly violate a Federal High Court ruling.

Legal experts and human rights advocates, including Femi Falana (SAN), have criticized these moves, asserting that they contravene Tinubu’s own official proclamation on the state of emergency. Falana has called on the president to remove Ibas for exceeding his mandate.

The House of Representatives has also expressed concern, warning Ibas to respect the constitutional requirement to report his activities to the National Assembly. Meanwhile, 11 PDP governors have taken legal action against Ibas’s appointment.

Human rights advocate Ann-Kio Briggs has accused Ibas of intensifying the crisis instead of resolving it. Similarly, PDP chieftain Segun Sowunmi has urged political leaders to focus on reconciling Fubara and Wike rather than escalating the conflict. He argued that President Tinubu should direct Wike to focus on his duties in Abuja and allow the elected governor to serve the people of Rivers State.

Sowunmi emphasized that only President Tinubu has the authority to lift the state of emergency and restore democratic governance. He urged stakeholders to stop fueling the crisis and instead promote peace between the two political figures.

While Tinubu continues to place blame on Fubara, many believe that Wike, the root of the political crisis, has not been held accountable. The pressure now lies on the president to guide Ibas towards upholding democratic norms and fostering peace in Rivers State.