President Tinubu swears in Ibas as sole administrator of Rivers state

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has officially sworn in Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (Rtd) as the new Sole Administrator of Rivers State.

The swearing-in ceremony took place at the State House in Abuja, just before 3 pm, and was attended by key government officials, including Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila; Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi; Principal Private Secretary to the President, Hakeem Muri-Okunola; and Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.

The appointment follows President Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State on Tuesday evening, which included the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and all members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

The suspension will remain in effect for an initial six months.

In a national broadcast, President Tinubu explained that the state of emergency was declared in response to prolonged political instability, constitutional violations, and escalating security concerns within the state.

These issues have been exacerbated by a power struggle between Governor Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, who now serves as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.

As part of his measures to restore order, the president appointed Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, a retired naval officer and former Chief of Naval Staff, to oversee the administration of Rivers State until the situation is resolved.

Ibas served as Chief of Naval Staff from 2015 to 2021 under former President Muhammadu Buhari. [CONTINUE READING HERE]>>>>