President Bola Tinubu has sworn in Vice Admiral Ibok-Étè Ibas (retd.) as the sole administrator of Rivers State following the declaration of a state of emergency in the state.
The swearing-in ceremony took place at approximately 3:00 p.m. on Monday at the State House in Abuja. In attendance were the President’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila; Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN); and the Principal Secretary to the President, Hakeem Muri-Okunola. Ibas had arrived at the Presidential Villa at about 12:48 p.m.
The development comes after President Tinubu, in a national broadcast on Tuesday night, announced the suspension of Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu, and all elected members of the State House of Assembly for an initial period of six months.
The President cited persistent political instability, constitutional violations, and escalating security concerns as the basis for the drastic decision.
The ongoing crisis in Rivers State has been attributed to a power tussle between Governor Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, who currently serves as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.
“In the circumstance, having soberly reflected on and evaluated the political situation in Rivers State, and noting that the Governor and Deputy Governor failed to make a formal request as stipulated by Section 305(5) of the 1999 Constitution, it has become compelling for me to invoke Section 305 of the Constitution to declare a state of emergency in Rivers State, effective March 18, 2025,” Tinubu said during his address.
He added, “By this declaration, the Governor, his deputy, and all elected members of the House of Assembly are hereby suspended for an initial period of six months.”
To oversee governance during this period, Tinubu appointed Vice Admiral Ibas as the sole administrator. Ibas previously served as Chief of Naval Staff from 2015 to 2021 under former President Muhammadu Buhari.
The President clarified that the declaration does not extend to the judiciary in Rivers State, which will continue to perform its constitutional duties.