President Bola Tinubu has officially sworn in Vice Admiral Ibok-Étè Ibas (retd.) as the sole administrator of Rivers State following the declaration of a state of emergency in the oil-rich region.
The ceremony took place at 3:00 PM on Wednesday at the State House in Abuja, with key government officials in attendance, including Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila, Attorney General of the Federation Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), and the President’s Principal Secretary, Hakeem Muri-Okunola.
Ibas arrived at the Presidential Villa at 12:48 PM before being sworn in to take full administrative control of Rivers State for an initial period of six months.
His appointment comes after President Tinubu suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu, and all elected members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, citing political instability, constitutional breaches, and security threats.
The decision to declare a state of emergency was made on Tuesday night after months of political crisis in Rivers State, fueled by a power struggle between Governor Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, who now serves as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.
In his national address, President Tinubu explained that the suspension of the executive and legislative arms of government in Rivers was necessary, as both had failed to maintain stability. He emphasized that the judiciary remains intact and will continue to function as prescribed by the Constitution.
Vice Admiral Ibok-Étè Ibas, a seasoned military officer, previously served as Nigeria’s Chief of Naval Staff from 2015 to 2021 under former President Muhammadu Buhari.
Known for his expertise in security strategy and governance, he has now been tasked with restoring order and ensuring a return to normalcy in Rivers State.
His appointment is widely seen as a firm response to the prolonged crisis, but it also raises questions about the federal government’s intervention in state affairs.
With Rivers State now under direct federal control, all eyes are on Ibas to stabilize the political landscape and restore effective governance.
The development marks a significant turning point in the ongoing crisis, as political observers await the impact of the federal intervention in the coming months.