THE newly appointed Sole Administrator of Rivers State, vice Admiral Ibok-ete Ibas (rtd.), has pledged to work closely with stakeholders to restore peace and stability in the crisis-hit state.
Following his swearing-in by President Bola Tinubu at the State House in Abuja today, Ibas emphasized the need to uphold law and order.
“We understand the circumstances that led to this point, and Mr. President made that clear in his address,” Ibas told reporters. “If maintaining law and order is the primary concern, then ensuring a stable environment for meaningful activities in Rivers State is my top priority.”
The retired naval chief reiterated his commitment to partnering with stakeholders to restore security and stability in Rivers State and across Nigeria.
President Tinubu, in a nationwide address yesterday, March 18, 2025, declared a state of emergency in Rivers State.
He suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu, and all State House of Assembly members for six months, citing constitutional provisions under Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution.
The decision came amid escalating political tensions in the oil-rich state.
Tinubu appointed Ibas, Nigeria’s Chief of Naval Staff from 2015 to 2021, as the state’s interim administrator.
However, the suspension of Fubara and other elected officials has sparked widespread criticism.
Opposition figures, legal experts, and groups—including Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Rotimi Amaechi, Femi Falana, the Labour Party (LP), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the Nigerian Bar Association, and the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF)—have condemned the move.
Meanwhile, pro-Nyesom Wike lawmakers, who were also suspended, have welcomed the emergency rule, accusing Fubara of violating Supreme Court rulings regarding the state’s political crisis.