Tinubu Receives Newly Appointed Rivers State Administrator Amid Political Crisis
President Bola Tinubu has met with Vice Admiral Ibok-Étè Ibas (retd.), the newly appointed Administrator of Rivers State, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
The meeting comes a day after Tinubu declared a state of emergency in the state, suspending Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and the State House of Assembly for six-month, over political instability and security concerns.
Ibas arrived at the Villa around 12:48 p.m., just a day after the President declared a state of emergency in the state.
He cited ongoing political instability, constitutional violations, and security threats as reasons for the drastic decision.
The crisis in Rivers State is rooted in a prolonged power tussle between Governor Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, now Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, which has reportedly stalled governance in the oil-rich state.
In a national address, Tinubu explained that the state’s leadership failed to formally request federal intervention, prompting him to invoke Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution to declare a state of emergency effective March 18, 2025.
“As part of this measure, Vice Admiral Ibok-Étè Ibas (retd.) has been appointed to oversee the state’s administration in the interest of the people of Rivers State,” Tinubu said.
He clarified that the judiciary in the state remains unaffected and will continue to operate as mandated by the constitution.
Ibas previously served as Nigeria’s Chief of Naval Staff from 2015 to 2021 under former President Muhammadu Buhari.
