Rivers State Sole Administrator Suspends All Political Appointees with Immediate Effect

The Rivers State Sole Administrator, Retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, has suspended all political office holders in the state. The suspension, which takes effect immediately, was announced in a statement released on Wednesday by the Chief of Staff to the Administrator.

The decision follows the emergency powers granted to Ibas by President Bola Tinubu, who recently declared a state of emergency in Rivers State. Those affected include the Secretary to the State Government, the Chief of Staff, all commissioners, chairpersons and members of boards, agencies, and parastatals, as well as all Special Advisers, Special Assistants, and Senior Special Assistants. The statement directed the affected officials to hand over their duties to permanent secretaries in their respective ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs). In cases where no permanent secretary is available, the most senior director or head of administration will assume control.

Ibas’ Appointment and His Mandate to Restore Order

Vice Admiral Ibas was sworn in as the Sole Administrator of Rivers State on Wednesday, March 19, 2025, following President Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency. The decision also led 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.

With a strong military background, having served as the Chief of Naval Staff, Ibas has been tasked with bringing stability to Rivers State, which has been engulfed in political turmoil in recent months. Speaking to State House correspondents after his swearing-in, Ibas emphasized that his primary duty was to restore law and order in the state. “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 stated.

Political Tensions and the Need for Intervention

The political crisis in Rivers State has been escalating, prompting the federal government’s intervention. There have been growing tensions between Governor Fubara and key political figures, leading to fears of instability. The situation reached a boiling point in early March when allegations of misconduct and abuse of power surfaced against the state government.

The declaration of a state of emergency by President Tinubu was seen as a drastic but necessary measure to prevent further breakdown of governance in Rivers State. The appointment of a Sole Administrator, a move rarely seen in Nigerian politics, underscores the severity of the crisis. Ibas’ military background is expected to help enforce discipline and stability during this turbulent period.

Implications of the Suspensions on Governance

With the mass suspension of political appointees, the Rivers State government is set to operate under a drastically different structure in the coming months. The immediate handover of responsibilities to civil servants means that career bureaucrats will temporarily assume leadership roles in various government institutions.

While some analysts argue that this move could improve efficiency and reduce political interference, others have raised concerns about the legality of the suspensions. Legal experts and opposition figures have questioned whether the federal government’s decision undermines democratic governance in the state. However, the Tinubu administration has maintained that the intervention was necessary to restore normalcy and prevent an escalation of the crisis.

What Lies Ahead for Rivers State?

As the state of emergency unfolds, all eyes will be on Ibas and his administration to see how they navigate the governance challenges in Rivers State. The suspension of elected officials, particularly the governor and the state assembly members, raises critical questions about the political future of the state.

Ibas has assured the people of Rivers State that he will work with all stakeholders to ensure a return to stability. However, it remains to be seen how political actors within the state and across Nigeria will react to this unprecedented move. With six months ahead under a Sole Administrator’s leadership, Rivers State faces an uncertain but crucial period that will determine the trajectory of its governance and political stability.