JUST IN: Tinubu Swears In Ibok-Ete Ibas as Rivers Sole Administrator

President Bola Tinubu officially swears in Ibok-Ete Ibas as the sole administrator of Rivers State following the suspension of Governor Fubara.

President Bola Tinubu has officially appointed Vice Admiral Ibok-ete Ibas (retired) as the Sole Administrator of Rivers State.

The swearing-in ceremony took place after a brief meeting with the president on Wednesday afternoon.

Tinubu made the announcement regarding the retired naval officer during a nationwide address on Tuesday, in which he declared a state of emergency in Rivers State and suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu, and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

The president based his decision on Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution, stating that he could not stand by as the political situation in Rivers deteriorated without intervening.

The suspension of Fubara and other elected officials has faced significant backlash from numerous prominent Nigerians, legal experts, and organizations, including Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Femi Falana, the Labour Party (LP), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and the Nigerian Bar Association, among others.

Conversely, the emergency rule has received support from the pro-Nyesom Wike Assembly, led by Martins Amaewhule, who accused Fubara of violating a Supreme Court ruling concerning the political climate in the state.

Ibas served as the Chief of Naval Staff from 2015 to 2021. He hails from Cross River, where he completed his early education.

The new Sole Administrator entered the Nigerian Defence Academy in 1979 and subsequently enjoyed a distinguished career in the Navy, advancing through the ranks to the highest position.

He is affiliated with the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) and the Nigerian Institute of Management.

Former President Muhammadu Buhari, who appointed him as Chief of Naval Staff, awarded him the National Honour of Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR) in 2022.