Rivers Sole Administrator Suspends All Political Appointees

The sole administrator of Rivers State, Ibok-Ete Ibas, has suspended all political office holders in the state with immediate effect. This decision affects officials appointed by the now-suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

Immediate Suspension of Political Appointees

Ibas, a retired vice admiral and former chief of naval staff, made this announcement through a statement issued by his chief of staff on Wednesday evening. The suspension applies to key government figures, including the secretary to the state government, chief of staff, commissioners, and heads of boards, agencies, and commissions. Special advisers and assistants are also affected.

All suspended officials must hand over to the permanent secretary or the most senior director in their respective offices.

Authority Behind the Decision

According to the statement, this action follows the powers given to Ibas by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The president had earlier declared a state of emergency in Rivers State on 18 March, leading to the suspension of Governor Fubara, Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu, and all House of Assembly members for six months. Ibas was then appointed as the state’s sole administrator.

Reasons Behind the State of Emergency

President Tinubu cited security concerns as the reason for the emergency rule. Explosions, pipeline vandalism, and ongoing political tensions between Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, have created instability in the state. Wike, now the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, has been at the center of the political rift.

The House of Representatives approved the state of emergency on Thursday, with the Senate following suit after making minor modifications.