Rivers State Head of Service, Dr. George Nwaeke, has resigned from office, according to a statement issued on Tuesday by the Chief of Staff to the state’s Sole Administrator, Retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas.

The statement acknowledged Nwaeke’s contributions during his brief tenure and extended best wishes for his future endeavors. In the interim, Dr. (Mrs.) Iyingi Brown, the Permanent Secretary for Welfare in the Office of the Head of Service, has been appointed in an acting capacity until a substantive replacement is named.

While congratulating Brown, Ibas reaffirmed his commitment to neutrality, peace, and stability in Rivers State.

Nwaeke’s resignation comes just a week after President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in the state, suspending Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Nma Ordu, and all State Assembly members. The move has sparked widespread criticism from political figures, civil society groups, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), and many Rivers State residents.