Vice Admiral Ibot-Ete Ibas (rtd) has officially assumed office as the Sole Administrator of Rivers State, following his recent appointment by President Bola Tinubu amid the ongoing political crisis in the state.
Ibas arrived at the Government House, Port Harcourt, at noon on Thursday, where he was received by Rivers State Head of Service, George Nwaeke, after a formal reception at the airport.
Accompanying him were top security officials, including the General Officer Commanding, 6 Division of the Nigerian Army; the Commander of Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Pathfinder; the Commander of 115 Special Operations Group, Nigerian Air Force; the Rivers State Commissioner of Police; the Director of the Department of State Services (DSS); and the Director of Energy Security from the Office of the National Security Adviser.
Upon his arrival, Ibas proceeded to the State Executive Council Chambers, where he was welcomed by Permanent Secretaries before holding a closed-door meeting with security heads and senior government officials.
Speaking to journalists after the meeting, the Sole Administrator stated that discussions were still ongoing with security agencies. He, however, assured the public that the situation in Rivers State appeared calm and pledged to restore full normalcy.
Ibas assumed office two days after his appointment by President Tinubu, who suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly amid the state’s prolonged political turmoil. The retired Naval Chief had met with Tinubu on Wednesday before being sworn in at the State House in Abuja. He will oversee the state’s affairs for six months under the emergency rule declared by the Federal Government.
South-South Governors Reject Emergency Rule
Meanwhile, the South-South Governors’ Forum has called on President Tinubu to reverse the emergency rule imposed on Rivers State, arguing that it does not meet constitutional requirements.
In a statement signed by its Chairman, Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State, the Forum acknowledged the President’s duty to maintain law and order but questioned whether the situation in Rivers State justified the suspension of democratic institutions.
Citing Section 305(3) of the Nigerian Constitution, the governors noted that a state of emergency should only be declared under extreme circumstances, such as war, external aggression, or a severe breakdown of public order. They argued that the political tensions in Rivers do not warrant such drastic measures.
Furthermore, the governors emphasized that the Constitution outlines clear procedures for the removal of a governor, deputy governor, and members of the House of Assembly under Section 188. They expressed concerns that these constitutional provisions may not have been fully adhered to.
To de-escalate tensions and promote lasting peace, the South-South Governors’ Forum urged the Federal Government to rescind the emergency rule and allow legal mechanisms to resolve the political dispute between Governor Fubara and the Rivers State House of Assembly.
“The moment for dialogue is now,” the governors stated, calling on all stakeholders to remain calm and uphold the rule of law.
