Rivers Admin in Hot Water: LG and Electoral Chiefs Ousted
On Wednesday, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retired), who serves as the sole administrator of Rivers State, faced severe criticism after dismissing 23 local government caretakers along with the chairperson of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission.
In the 23 Local Government Areas of the state, the caretakers were substituted with administrators. Additionally, Justice Adolphus Enebeli (retired), who served as the RSIEC chairman, was replaced by Dr. Michael Odey.
Odey will collaborate with six members, including four professors.
This occurred fewer than 24 hours following a Federal High Court session in Port Harcourt instructing Ibas to attend and explain why the court shouldn’t approve a petition aimed at preventing him from assigning administrators to the 23 LGAs.
On Tuesday, Justice Adamu Muhammed delivered an order in case number FHC/PH/CS/46/2025. The lawsuit was brought forth by the PILEX Centre for Civic Education Initiative, headed by Courage Msirimovu, against the Sole Administrator.
Ibas’s choice was outlined in an official statement released on Wednesday by the Secretary to the Rivers State Government, Prof. Ibibia Worika.
The statement said, "His Excellency, the Governor of Rivers State, Vice Admiral (retd.) Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas CFR, has endorsed the appointment of administrators for all 23 local government areas within Rivers State."
He has likewise sanctioned the reinstatement of certain governing bodies for various agencies, commissions, and state-owned enterprises that were previously halted. These appointments will commence on Monday, the 7th of April 2025.
The previous week, the lone administrator put a halt to all heads of ministries, departments, and agencies within the state.
As part of another measure, Ibas has annulled all outstanding procurement and bidding procedures conducted by the ministries, departments, and agencies within the state.
He stated that the cancellation was required after the Supreme Court ruling and due to the lack of an appropriations legislation during that time frame.
According to an earlier announcement made by the SSG, the chief administrator ordered all MDAs to promptly return the fees collected from contractors who participated in tenders for projects within their individual offices.
He also endorsed the selection of chairs and board members for both the civil service and local government service commission.
In response to the appointments, Governor Siminilayi Fubara’s Special Advisor on Electronic Media, Jerry Omatsogumona, characterized the situation as an extreme case of unchecked audacity.
Omatsogunwa stated that Ibas had essentially become autonomous due to his behavior, particularly since a court had called for an inquiry into the appointments he made.
He showed joy because the National Assembly has rejected the proposed budget preparation mentioned by the acting head of administration not long ago.
The governor's assistant remarked, "We've witnessed 'pro-max' impunity in Rivers State, and the National Assembly has indicated that the proposed budget he claimed to be preparing won't hold since that wasn’t his intended mission."
And the court has instructed him not to take any actions and to appear for questioning. As you are aware, the remainder of the narrative involves the release of 23 names who served as administrators of the Local Government Areas that he (Ibas) approved.
So, in my view, this has gone beyond mere impunity. He considers himself above everyone else, which is unacceptable in a democracy. All sensible residents of Rivers should denounce these actions by the acting governor, and ultimately, they won’t be tolerated.
Ibas is dismantle the democratic framework – PANDEF
The National Chairman of the Pan Niger Delta Forum, Amb Godknows Igali, criticized Ibas for dismantling the democratic framework within the state.
In his correspondence with the single administrator, he expressed disapproval of the undemocratic measures that had been implemented thus far within the state.
Igali stated that he noticed "a deliberate dismantling of several crucial frameworks essential for the ongoing development and strengthening of democracy in Rivers State happening at this very moment under your administration."
In the open letter released on Wednesday, Igali highlighted that what was even more concerning was the "astonishing extent of demolition, deconstruction, and obliteration of all democratic institutions that have existed in the state."
The former diplomat criticized the taking down of pictures of the elected governor from all offices before he was officially relieved of his duties.
He stated, "I witnessed this personally at the Port Harcourt International Airport, which I frequently visit, and I was informed that this decision came from your administration. Upon further investigation, I learned that this occurred in all other governmental offices throughout the state."
Furthermore, you have recently decided to suspend the boards of various established statutory bodies like the State Independent Electoral Commission, the managing councils of higher educational institutions, and even the respected traditional rulers' council.
"I may not be an authority on constitutional issues, but having reached the pinnacle of our nation's administrative system and with extensive knowledge gained from observing top-tier international standards during my almost 50-year diplomatic career, I understand that the role of a temporary chief administrator involves making provisional decisions concerning the governance and daily operations of the state. This includes exercising fiscal oversight—such as handling incoming funds, processing expenditures, and maintaining transparency—as well as overseeing staff management and other HR responsibilities. Additionally, they must implement strategies for promoting stability, utilizing their position to mediate conflicts and restore tranquility within the region at hand—in this instance, Rivers State," he listed.
The PANDEF leader stated, "This is particularly true since I have carefully reviewed the Gazette from March 19, 2025, which appointed you as Administrator, along with excerpts from the National Assembly proceedings held on March 20, 2025. In these documents, I did not come across such extensive and far-reaching authorities being utilized by your office."
He conveyed his wish that Ibas would muster the courage to "retract some of your steps that have thus far surpassed what was expected."
Similarly, Chief Anabs Sara-Igbe, an esteemed senior figure and part of the Rivers State Elders and Leaders Council, has voiced disapproval over the appointment of administrators for the 23 Local Government Areas, asserting that Governor Ibas lacks the authority to appoint or remove anyone.
Sara-Igbe mentioned that the designation of Ibas as the Sole Administrator of the state by President Bola Tinibu comes with conditions.
He characterized the circumstances in Rivers State as a coup, expressing puzzlement over how this illegal activity persisted as though the nation had no legal framework.
He stated, "The individual who is assigning these LGA administrators lacks legitimacy. They assumed power in an unconstitutional manner, and their appointments do not conform to constitutional provisions; therefore, they are invalid."
Given his lack of constitutional authority, he cannot remove or install anyone into any position. However, what is occurring aims to convey to the global community that they had a premeditated scheme for a coup.
And President Sir falls short of the Constitution. According to section 10, no one can assume control over the Federal Republic of Nigeria or any portion thereof without following the proper legal procedures.
So, if someone is exploiting the system unfairly without adhering to the proper constitutional procedures, such actions are invalid and beyond their authority.
Subsequently, according to Section 305; this section does not grant the President authority to suspend or abolish any elected position.
Thus, the authorities who selected them lack the authority to dissolve, suspend, or appoint individuals at the state level. They simply don't possess such powers.
“All they are doing is to see that there’s impunity, they don’t respect the law. They don’t respect the constitution. They can breach the constitution anyhow they like but there’s a court injunction not to go ahead with this appointments and yet he flouted the court orders.”
Group threaten mass action
A collective known as the Rivers Emancipation Movement warned of potential widespread protests due to the recent appointments made by the acting administrator.
Solomon Tamunotonye, who serves as the National President of the organization, claimed that those appointed are supporters of the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike. He argued that this situation could exacerbate the ongoing political turmoil within the state.
He said, "The REM firmly and unambiguously opposes the designation of individual managers to handle the matters of local administrations in Rivers State."
This choice blatantly disregards the Nigerian constitution and directly contradicts the Supreme Court’s stance on upholding the integrity of democratic rule at the local level.
This appointment mainly consists of individuals who are close associates of ex-governor Nyesom Wike, which openly reveals the impartiality deficit of the acting head and consequently exacerbates the ongoing political turmoil within the state.
Through the appointment of Wike's supporters as administrators for these Local Government Areas, the sole administrator has shown an alarming degree of bias and disrespect for democratic values.
Nevertheless, Mr. Kingsley Chinda, who represents the Obio/Akpor Federal Constituency in Rivers State, stated that Ibas' choice to appoint interim chairman roles was appropriate.
Chinda, concurrently serving as the House Minority Leader, asserted that appointing a new head for RSIEC does not contravene Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution (as revised).
When asked whether the former admiral's actions didn't equate to contempt of court, Chinda responded, "Which court order? What regulations were enforced prior to his appointments? Aren't we aiming for the local government elections to be held?"
I am speaking on behalf of the representative from Obio/Akpor Federal Constituency, since the Minority Caucus or its leaders have not yet established an official stance on this matter.
The Supreme Court ruling states that funds must not be disbursed to nondemocratic local government councils, as outlined in the constitution.
'The administrator has never encountered an elected chairman within the council. How can they be expected to manage effectively? Despite administering local government areas from the Government House, this arrangement fails to satisfy the constitutional requirements.'
He encountered the council regions where chairpersons were absent, along with an election schedule outlined by the state electoral commission. Sadly, three members of the commission stepped down, and the chairman fled.
He was left with no choice but to restore democratic governance at the local level as per the court’s decision, leading to the prompt establishment of the state electoral commission.
Given these conditions, his only viable choice was to assign administrators temporarily for the local government regions until duly elected chairpersons take office.
As stated, the federal legislator invited anyone to "Identify the constitutional clause that prohibits the sole administrator from dismissing political appointees and selecting individuals of their choosing to assist in delivering services."
"The administrator has not violated Section 305 of the Constitution," he maintained.
Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. Syndigate.info ).
