BREAKING: Tinubu swears Ibok-Étè Ibas as Rivers Sole Administrator

President Bola Tinubu has officially sworn in Vice Admiral Ibok-Étè Ibas (retd.) as the sole administrator of Rivers State. The brief ceremony took place at 3:00 pm on Wednesday at the State House, Abuja.

Among those present at the event were the President’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, and the Principal Secretary to the President, Hakeem Muri-Okunola. Ibas had arrived at the Presidential Villa earlier at about 12:48 pm.

Tinubu’s decision to appoint a sole administrator follows his declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State on Tuesday night. This measure led to the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and all elected members of the State House of Assembly for an initial period of six months.

In his national address, Tinubu cited political instability, constitutional violations, and security concerns as reasons for the extraordinary intervention. The crisis in Rivers State is linked to a prolonged power struggle between Governor Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, who currently serves as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.

To restore stability, Tinubu appointed Vice Admiral Ibok-Étè Ibas, a former Chief of Naval Staff (2015-2021), to oversee the state’s affairs.

However, the president clarified that the judiciary in Rivers State remains unaffected by the declaration and will continue to function independently.