BREAKING: Tinubu Names Ibas Rivers State Administrator After Emergency Declaration

President Bola Tinubu has appointed Vice Admiral Ibok-Étè Ibas (retd.) as the sole administrator of Rivers State following the declaration of a state of emergency.

The swearing-in ceremony took place at about 3:00 pm at the State House, Abuja, witnessed by the President’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, Attorney General of the Federation, Mr. Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, and Principal Secretary to the President, Mr. Hakeem Muri-Okunola. Ibas arrived at the Presidential Villa at approximately 12:48 pm.

On Tuesday night, Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, suspending Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and all elected members of the Rivers State House of Assembly for an initial period of six months.

In a national broadcast, Tinubu cited prolonged political instability, constitutional breaches, and security threats as reasons for the drastic measure.

The crisis, which disrupted governance in the oil-rich state, arose from a prolonged power struggle between Governor Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, who now serves as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.

As part of the emergency directives, Tinubu appointed Vice Admiral Ibok-Étè Ibas (retd.) to oversee the state’s affairs until stability is restored. Ibas previously held the position of Chief of Naval Staff from 2015 to 2021 under former President Muhammadu Buhari.

Tinubu stated, “In the circumstance, having soberly reflected on and evaluated the political situation in Rivers State, the Governor and Deputy Governor of Rivers State have failed to make a request to me as President to issue this proclamation as required by section 305(5) of the 1999 Constitution as amended. It has become inevitably compelling for me to invoke the provision of section 305 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended, to declare a state of emergency in Rivers State with effect from today, March 18, 2025, and I so do.

“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-Étè Ibas (retd.) 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.”