ABUJA, Nigeria — President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday, March 19, 2025, swore in retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas as the sole administrator of Rivers State, following the declaration of a state of emergency in the oil-rich state.
The swearing-in ceremony took place at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, a day after Tinubu suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and all state lawmakers for six months.
Ibas, a former Chief of Naval Staff, was nominated by the President to oversee the administration of Rivers State during the emergency period.
Tinubu charged Ibas with managing the state’s affairs without enacting new laws, emphasising the need to restore stability and address security threats.
The declaration of emergency rule comes amid a protracted political crisis in Rivers State, marked by tensions between Governor Fubara and former Governor Nyesom Wike, now the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The suspension of elected officials has sparked widespread debate, with stakeholders questioning the constitutionality of the move.
Ibas, who served as Chief of Naval Staff from 2015 to 2021, brings a wealth of experience in security and administration to his new role.
After retiring from the Navy in January 2021, he was appointed Nigeria’s Ambassador to Ghana by former President Muhammadu Buhari in June of the same year.
As Rivers State Administrator, Ibas is tasked with restoring order, ensuring the smooth functioning of government, and addressing the underlying issues that have fueled the political crisis.
