In a move to address the political and security crisis in Rivers State, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (retd) as the state’s Administrator.
This appointment follows the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Mrs. Ngozi Odu, and all elected members of the state’s House of Assembly.
Announcing the decision during a nationwide broadcast on Tuesday, Tinubu stated that the judiciary in Rivers State would remain unaffected and continue to function as mandated by the Constitution.
According to The Guardian, Ibas previously served as Nigeria’s 22nd Chief of Naval Staff (CNS).
Tinubu assured that while Ibas would oversee the state’s administration, he would not introduce new laws. “The Administrator will not make any new laws. However, he may formulate necessary regulations to perform his duties, subject to approval by the Federal Executive Council and promulgation by the President,” he said.
The President further emphasized that the declaration had been officially published in the Federal Gazette and forwarded to the National Assembly. He expressed optimism that this intervention would restore stability in Rivers State and reinforce adherence to constitutional governance.
