By Peter Onyekachukwu 
By Peter Onyekachukwu, Warri
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed retired Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas as the Administrator of Rivers State, following the declaration of a state of emergency in the state. The move comes after 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 broadcast on Tuesday, Tinubu cited the prolonged political crisis in Rivers as the reason for his decision, stating that governance in the state had collapsed due to the failure of the executive and legislative arms to work together. He accused Governor Fubara of undermining constitutional democracy, particularly through the demolition of the Rivers State House of Assembly complex in December 2023 without rebuilding it.
“This decision was not taken lightly, but it has become necessary to restore peace, order, and good governance in Rivers State,” Tinubu said. “Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (retd.) has been appointed to oversee the state’s affairs in the best interest of its people.”
The President clarified that the judicial arm of government would continue to function normally, while the newly appointed administrator would operate under federal oversight without enacting new laws.
The declaration has been published in the Federal Gazette and forwarded to the National Assembly for approval, in line with constitutional provisions.