PORT HARCOURT, Nigeria – Ibok-Ete Ibas, the sole administrator of Rivers State, has gone ahead with the appointment of administrators for the state’s 23 local government areas (LGAs), despite a recent court ruling that restrained him from making such appointments.
The appointments, announced by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Ibibia Worika, are set to take effect from April 7, 2025.
The newly appointed administrators for the 23 LGAs include prominent names such as Okroiyobi Animiete for Abua/Odual LGA, Goodluck Iheanacho for Ahoada East, and Dr. Sam Kalagbor for Port Harcourt LGA, among others.
In addition to the LGA administrators, Ibas has also approved the reconstitution of several boards of agencies, commissions, and parastatals that had previously been suspended.
The full list of newly appointed administrators and their respective LGAs is as follows:
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Mr. Okroiyobi Animiete – Abua/Odual LGA
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Mr. Goodluck M. Ihenacho – Ahoada East LGA
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Mr. Promise Jacob – Ahoada West LGA
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Dr. Tamunotonye Peters – Akuku Toru LGA
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Surveyor Atajit Francis – Andoni LGA
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Barrister Ibiapuve Charles – Asari Toru LGA
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Mr. Kingsley N. Banigo – Bonny LGA
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Dr. Sokari Ibifuro Francis – Degema LGA
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Dr. Gloria Obo Dibiah – Eleme LGA
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Barr Franklin P. Ajinwon – Emohua LGA
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Dr. Onyemachi S. Nwankwor – Etche LGA
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Prof. Gospel G. Kpee – Gokana LGA
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Mr. Isaiah Christian Nobuawu – Ikwerre LGA
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Dr. Barinedum Nwibere – Khana LGA
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Dr. Clifford Ndu Walter – Obio Akpor LGA
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Dr. Chukwuma Aje – Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA
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Eliel Owubokiri – Ogu/Bolo LGA
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Mr. Thompson Isodiki – Okrika LGA
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Manager Ikechi Wala – Omuma LGA
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Mr. Fred Apiafi – Opobo/Nkoro LGA
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Eletuuo Ihianacho – Oyigbo LGA
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Dr. Sam Kalagbor – Port Harcourt LGA
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Mr. Nuka O. S. Gbipah – Tai LGA
Additionally, new members were appointed to the Rivers State Electoral Commission, including Dr. Michael Ekpai Odey as Chairman and other key figures like Prof. Author Nwafor and Prof. Joyce Akaninwor as members.
The appointment of these administrators follows a Supreme Court ruling that declared the October 5, 2024, local government election in the state invalid.
Despite the court’s decision, Ibas has moved forward with these appointments, which are seen as part of his governance agenda in the state.
