President Bola Tinubu has sworn in Vice Admiral Ibok-Étè Ibas (retd.) as the sole administrator of Rivers State following a state of emergency declaration. The swearing-in ceremony took place at the State House, Abuja, at 3:00 p.m., with top government officials in attendance.
Ibas reached the Presidential Villa at 12:48 p.m. before the brief ceremony. Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila, Attorney General Lateef Fagbemi, and Principal Secretary Hakeem Muri-Okunola witnessed the event.
Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers on Tuesday night, suspending Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and all state lawmakers for six months. He cited political instability, constitutional breaches, and security threats as justification for the decision.
The crisis in Rivers stems from a prolonged power struggle between Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, now the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory. The conflict has disrupted governance in the oil-rich state, prompting Tinubu’s intervention.
As part of the emergency measures, Tinubu appointed Ibas to oversee the state’s affairs until he restores normalcy. Ibas served as Chief of Naval Staff from 2015 to 2021 under former President Muhammadu Buhari He will act as the state’s sole authority.
In his address, Tinubu stated that the Rivers governor and his deputy failed to formally request the emergency declaration, as required by Section 305(5) of the 1999 Constitution. He said this left him no choice but to invoke his constitutional powers.
Tinubu announced, “I have suspended the Governor, Deputy Governor, and House of Assembly members for six months. Vice Admiral Ibok-Étè Ibas (retd.) will oversee the affairs of Rivers State in the interest of its people.”
Tinubu assured that the judicial arm of government in Rivers would continue functioning as mandated by the constitution.
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