President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Swears In New Sole Administrator Of Rivers State

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has officially sworn in Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (Rtd) as the new Sole Administrator of Rivers State. The ceremony took place at the State House in Abuja, within the President’s office.

Dignitaries present at the swearing-in included the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila; the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi; the Principal Private Secretary to the President, Hakeem Muri-Okunola; and the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga. 

The ceremony was conducted a few minutes before 3 p.m.

The swearing-in follows President Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State on Tuesday night. 

This action resulted in the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and all elected members of the Rivers State House of Assembly for an initial period of six months.

In a national address, Tinubu justified the move by citing prolonged political instability, constitutional violations, and security threats as the basis for this extraordinary measure. 

The crisis in Rivers State, largely stemming from a power struggle between Governor Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike—now the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory—had significantly disrupted governance in the oil-rich state.

To restore order, the President appointed Vice Admiral Ibok-Étè Ibas (Rtd.) as the sole administrator of Rivers State. Ibas, who previously served as Chief of Naval Staff from 2015 to 2021 under former President Muhammadu Buhari, is tasked with overseeing the state’s affairs until stability is restored.

Addressing the nation, Tinubu stated: “Having soberly reflected on and evaluated the political situation in Rivers State, and given that the Governor and Deputy Governor have failed to request this proclamation as required by Section 305(5) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), I find it inevitably compelling to invoke Section 305 of the Constitution to declare a state of emergency in Rivers State, effective today, March 18, 2025.”

He further clarified: “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 assured the public that the judicial arm of Rivers State would remain unaffected, continuing to function as mandated by the Constitution.

More details to follow…