The Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, has suspended all political appointees and officeholders in the state with immediate effect, citing executive powers granted by President Bola Tinubu.
A statement issued on Wednesday by the Chief of Staff to the Sole Administrator confirmed that the suspension affects key government officials, including the Secretary to the State Government, the Chief of Staff, all commissioners, chairpersons, and members of boards, agencies, commissions, and parastatals.
Additionally, all Special Advisers, Special Assistants, and Senior Special Assistants were also relieved of their duties.
“This suspension takes effect from Wednesday, March 26, 2025. The affected officers are to hand over to permanent secretaries in their ministries, departments, and agencies,” the statement read.
The directive further stated that where there is no permanent secretary, the most senior director or head of administration should assume leadership.
The development comes a week after President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, leading to 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.
Vice Admiral Ibas, a former Chief of Naval Staff, was sworn in as Sole Administrator on March 19, 2025, with a mandate to restore law and order in the state amid heightened political tensions.
“If the main issue is that of maintaining law and order in the state, I think for any meaningful activities to take place in Rivers State, that is the utmost task that I have,” he told State House correspondents after his swearing-in.
He assured that his administration would work with relevant stakeholders to stabilize the situation and ensure governance continues seamlessly.
The crisis in Rivers State has sparked widespread political debate, with concerns about the implications of the state of emergency on democratic governance in the oil-rich region.
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