President Bola Tinubu has received Vice Admiral Ibok-Étè Ibas (retd.), the newly appointed sole administrator of Rivers State, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. Ibas arrived at the Villa around 12:48 p.m., just a day after the President declared a state of emergency in the state.
On Tuesday, Tinubu announced the suspension of Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and all members of the State House of Assembly for an initial six-month period.
He cited ongoing political instability, constitutional violations, and security threats as reasons for the drastic decision.
The crisis in Rivers State is rooted in a prolonged power tussle between Governor Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, now Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, which has reportedly stalled governance in the oil-rich state.
In a national address, Tinubu explained that the state’s leadership failed to formally request federal intervention, prompting him to invoke Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution to declare a state of emergency effective March 18, 2025.
“As part of this measure, Vice Admiral Ibok-Étè Ibas (retd.) has been appointed to oversee the state’s administration in the interest of the people of Rivers State,” Tinubu said.
He clarified that the judiciary in the state remains unaffected and will continue to operate as mandated by the constitution.
Ibas previously served as Nigeria’s Chief of Naval Staff from 2015 to 2021 under former President Muhammadu Buhari.
More updates to follow.