Tinubu swears in Ibas as Rivers’ sole administrator
Nigerian President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has officially sworn in Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (Rtd) as the new Sole Administrator of Rivers State.
According to reports, the swearing-in ceremony took place at the State House in Abuja and was attended by key government officials, including 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.
This follows President Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State on Tuesday evening and the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and all members of the Rivers State House of Assembly for an initial six months.
In a national broadcast, President Tinubu explained that the state of emergency was declared in response to prolonged political instability, constitutional violations, and escalating security concerns
These issues have been exacerbated by a power struggle between Governor Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, who now serves as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.
As part of his measures to restore order, the president appointed Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, a retired naval officer and former Chief of Naval Staff, to oversee the administration of Rivers State until the situation is resolved.
Ibas served as Chief of Naval Staff from 2015 to 2021 under former President Muhammadu Buhari.
