Tinubu Swears In Vice Admiral Ibok-Étè Ibas as Rivers Sole Administrator Amid State of Emergency

President Bola Tinubu has sworn in the sole administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Étè Ibas (retd.), at the State House in Abuja.

The brief ceremony, held at about 3:00 p.m., was attended by the President’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), and Principal Secretary to the President, Hakeem Muri-Okunola.

Ibas arrived at the Presidential Villa at 12:48 p.m. before his official swearing-in.

On Tuesday night, Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers, suspending Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu, and all elected members of the Rivers State House of Assembly for an initial period of six months.

In a national broadcast, Tinubu cited prolonged political instability, constitutional breaches, and security threats as reasons for the extraordinary measure. The crisis stems from a power struggle between Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, now Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.

As part of his directive, Tinubu appointed Ibas, a former Chief of Naval Staff (2015–2021), to oversee the state’s affairs until normalcy is restored.

“In the circumstance, having soberly reflected on and evaluated the political situation in Rivers State… it has become inevitably compelling for me to invoke the provision of section 305 of the Constitution… to declare a state of emergency in Rivers State with effect from today, March 18, 2025, and I so do,” Tinubu announced.

He added, “By this declaration, the Governor of Rivers State, Mr. Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Mrs. Ngozi Odu, and all elected members of the House of Assembly of Rivers State are hereby suspended for an initial period of six months.

“In the meantime, I hereby nominate Vice Admiral Ibok-Étè Ibas (retd.) as Administrator to take charge of the affairs of the state in the interest of the good people of Rivers State. For the avoidance of doubt, this declaration does not affect the judicial arm of Rivers State, which shall continue to function in accordance with their constitutional mandate.”