President Tinubu Swears in Vice Admiral Ibok-Étè Ibas as Sole Administrator of Rivers State 

In a dramatic move to address the ongoing political instability in Rivers State, President Bola Tinubu has officially sworn in Vice Admiral Ibok-Étè Ibas (retd.) as the sole administrator of the state. The swearing-in ceremony took place on March 19, 2025, at 3:00 pm at the State House in Abuja, signaling a major shift in the governance of the oil-rich region.

The event was attended by prominent figures including Femi Gbajabiamila, the President’s Chief of Staff, Attorney General of the Federation Mr. Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, and Mr. Hakeem Muri-Okunola, the Principal Secretary to the President. Ibas, a retired Vice Admiral and former Chief of Naval Staff from 2015 to 2021 under former President Muhammadu Buhari, was appointed to oversee the affairs of Rivers State after a tumultuous period marked by governance paralysis.

Earlier on Tuesday night, Tinubu made a national address announcing a state of emergency in Rivers State, citing reasons such as prolonged political instability, breaches of constitutional provisions, and escalating security threats. These factors, according to the President, necessitated the extraordinary action of suspending elected officials in the state for an initial six-month period.

“The crisis, which had severely impacted the governance structure in Rivers State, was mainly caused by a power struggle between the incumbent Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, now serving as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory,” said a source familiar with the situation. This ongoing dispute has paralyzed state governance and led to a breakdown of law and order in the region.

In his address to the nation, President Tinubu explained his decision to declare a state of emergency and appoint a sole administrator to restore order. “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,” Tinubu stated.

He continued, “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.” The President also clarified that the judiciary in Rivers State would remain unaffected and continue to function in accordance with its constitutional mandate.

The appointment of Vice Admiral Ibas (retd.) as the sole administrator is part of the President’s directive to stabilize the state. Ibas, with his extensive military and administrative background, is expected to restore peace and effective governance in the state, which has faced growing political and security challenges.

“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,” President Tinubu announced during the broadcast. Ibas’s role is to ensure that governance returns to normalcy and that the security and well-being of the people are prioritized during this period of emergency.

The declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State has raised significant questions about the state’s political future. Experts are closely monitoring the situation, particularly how the new administration under Ibas will handle the ongoing power struggle between factions within the state’s political leadership.