President Bola Tinubu has appointed Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (Rtd) as the Administrator of Rivers State following the declaration of a state of emergency in the region.
In his declaration, Tinubu assured that the judicial arm of Rivers State would remain unaffected by the suspension and continue to carry out its constitutional duties, noting that Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas will not make any new laws.
The decision comes in response to the escalating crisis surrounding the vandalization of oil pipelines in the state.
According to the presidency, the destruction of critical oil infrastructure posed a severe threat to the nation’s economy and security, prompting the federal government to intervene.
President Tinubu stated that despite the worsening situation, former Governor Siminalayi Fubara failed to engage with him regarding the crisis. Consequently, the federal government deemed it necessary to take direct action to restore stability and protect national assets.
Vice Admiral Ibas, a former Chief of Naval Staff, is expected to oversee governance in the state and implement measures to address the security and economic challenges arising from the crisis.
The president stated: “In the meantime, I hereby nominate Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (Rtd) as Administrator to take charge of the affairs of the state in the interest of the good people of Rivers State. For the avoidance of doubt, this declaration does not affect the judicial arm of Rivers State, which shall continue to function in accordance with their constitutional mandate.
“The Administrator will not make any new laws. He will, however, be free to formulate regulations as may be found necessary to do his job, but such regulations will need to be considered and approved by the Federal Executive Council and promulgated by the President for the state.
“This declaration has been published in the Federal Gazette, a copy of which has been forwarded to the National Assembly in accordance with the Constitution. It is my fervent hope that this inevitable intervention will help to restore peace and order in Rivers State by awakening all the contenders to the constitutional imperatives binding on all political players in Rivers State in particular and Nigeria as a whole.”
