Prominent human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria,
Femi Falana, has called for the immediate dismissal of the Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, accusing him of violating constitutional procedures and disregarding President Bola Tinubu’s directives.
In a statement on Thursday, Falana cited a Federal Government Gazette which outlines that the Sole Administrator is to operate strictly under regulations issued by the President.
“The Sole Administrator shall operate on the basis of such Regulations that may, from time to time, be issued by me,” the Gazette quotes President Tinubu as saying.
Falana pointed out that no such regulations have been issued to date, yet Ibas has taken actions including appointments and dismissals of state officials—moves the lawyer described as unlawful.
“By treating the orders of President Bola Tinubu with contempt, the Sole Administrator has compounded the illegality of his appointment,” Falana said.
“He ought to be removed without any further delay.”
This development adds to the ongoing political tension in Rivers State, where disputes over the legitimacy of appointments and the distribution of power between federal and state authorities remain unresolved.