President Bola Tinubu has sworn in Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (Rtd.) as the Sole Administrator of Rivers State. The swearing-in ceremony took place at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, inside the President’s office, just before 3 p.m.
The event was witnessed by key government officials, including the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila; Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi; Principal Private Secretary to the President, Hakeem Muri-Okunola; and Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
Tinubu’s appointment of Ibas follows his declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State on Tuesday night, which led to the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu, and all elected members of the Rivers State House of Assembly for an initial period of six months.
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In a national broadcast, the President cited prolonged political instability, constitutional violations, and security threats as the basis for his decision. The crisis in Rivers State, largely attributed to a power struggle between Governor Fubara and his predecessor, now-Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, had effectively stalled governance in the oil-rich state.
As part of his emergency measures, Tinubu appointed Ibas, a former Chief of Naval Staff who served from 2015 to 2021 under President Muhammadu Buhari, to oversee the state’s administration until stability is restored.
“In the circumstance, having soberly reflected on and evaluated the political situation in Rivers State… it has become inevitably compelling for me to invoke the provision of section 305 of the Constitution… to declare a state of emergency in Rivers State with effect from today, March 18, 2025,” Tinubu said in his address.
He further stated: “By this declaration, the Governor of Rivers State, Mr. Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Mrs. Ngozi Odu, and all elected members of the House of Assembly of Rivers State are hereby suspended for an initial period of six months.
“In the meantime, I hereby nominate Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (Rtd.) as Administrator to take charge of the affairs of the state in the interest of the good people of Rivers State. For the avoidance of doubt, this declaration does not affect the judicial arm of Rivers State, which shall continue to function in accordance with their constitutional mandate.”
The declaration has sparked widespread debate, with opposition parties and legal experts questioning the constitutional basis of the President’s action.
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