Rivers: Court bars Ibas from appointing administrators in LGAs

A Federal High Court in Port Harcourt on Tuesday barred the Rivers State Sole Administrator from appointing Sole Administrators to run the 23 local council areas in the state.

The order was issued by Justice Adamu Turaki Muhammed in Suit No. FHC/PH/CS/46/2025, filed by the Pilex Centre for Civic Education Initiative, led by Courage Msirimovu, against the Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (rtd.), in his official capacity.

The Court stated that the motion ex parte was filed on March 28, 2025, praying the court for multiple reliefs, the first being an order of interim injunction restraining the respondent or his agents from appointing Sole Administrators—or by whatever name called—for the 23 LGAs. They also prayed for any other order deemed necessary in the circumstances.

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Justice Muhammed said he found sufficient reason to grant the prayers and fixed April 14, 2025, for hearing.

The tenure of the last elected local council chairmen was terminated following a Supreme Court judgment on February 28, which declared their election illegal. Thereafter, suspended Governor Fubara ordered the chairmen to hand over to the Heads of Local Government Administration (HLGA), who have since been in charge of the 23 local government councils.

However, with the imposition of a state of emergency in Rivers State and the appointment of a Sole Administrator in place of the elected governor, political watchers have expressed concerns that the Sole Administrator might appoint administrators to oversee the local government areas.

The decision by the Pilex Centre to approach the court was aimed at preventing the Sole Administrator from appointing individuals loyal to the Minister of the FCT, who has been locked in a fierce power struggle with suspended Governor Fubara over control of the state’s political structure.

The Minister and his camp have been the clear beneficiaries of the state of emergency, and the suit aims to stop the Sole Administrator from handing over local government administration to the Wike group through the appointment of Sole Administrators for the councils.