President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has officially sworn in Vice Admiral Ibok-Étè Ibas (retd.) as the Sole Administrator of Rivers State, following the declaration of a state of emergency in the oil-rich region.
The swearing-in ceremony took place at approximately 3:00 PM on Wednesday, March 19, 2025, at the State House, Abuja. Present at the event were the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, and the Principal Secretary to the President, Hakeem Muri-Okunola.
Tinubu Declares State of Emergency in Rivers
On Tuesday night, President Tinubu announced the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu, and all elected members of the Rivers State House of Assembly for an initial period of six months. The decision, he stated, was necessitated by prolonged political instability, constitutional violations, and rising security concerns in the state.
The political crisis in Rivers State has been attributed to a long-standing power struggle between Governor Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, who currently serves as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The internal rift has significantly impacted governance, leading to political tensions, legislative conflicts, and security threats.
Ibas to Oversee State Affairs Until Stability is Restored
As part of his emergency directive, President Tinubu appointed Vice Admiral Ibok-Étè Ibas (retd.) to take charge of the state’s administration. Ibas, who previously served as Nigeria’s Chief of Naval Staff from 2015 to 2021 under former President Muhammadu Buhari, has been tasked with stabilizing the state and restoring governance.
“In the circumstance, having soberly reflected on and evaluated the political situation in Rivers State, and given that 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 to declare a state of emergency in Rivers State with effect from today, March 18, 2025, and I so do,” Tinubu announced in a national broadcast.
The President further stated:
“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.”
Tinubu, however, clarified that the judicial arm of the state remains unaffected, ensuring that the courts will continue to function in accordance with their constitutional mandate.
“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.”
Reactions and Constitutional Concerns
The President’s decision has sparked widespread debate, with legal experts, political analysts, and opposition leaders questioning the constitutional basis for suspending elected officials. Critics argue that Section 305 of the Nigerian Constitution does not explicitly grant the President the power to dissolve democratic structures during a state of emergency.
The development has further intensified tensions within the political landscape of Rivers State, with stakeholders expressing concerns over the implications of federal intervention in a state’s governance.
As the situation unfolds, all eyes remain on Vice Admiral Ibok-Étè Ibas and how he will navigate the crisis in the coming months.
