KEY POINTS
- President Tinubu selected Admiral Ibokette Ibas to take up the position of Rivers State Administrator.
- The suspension of six months affects Governor Fubara and his deputy and lawmakers together.
- Through the established state emergency status government strives to create stability within the politically troubled state.
The former commander of the Nigerian Navy Ibokette Ibas took charge as Administrator of Rivers State under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu.
Tinubu made his move after declaring a state of emergency in the state while removing from office Governor Siminalayi Fubara together with his deputy Mrs. Ngozi Odu and all state lawmakers for a six-month period.
State of emergency declared
Through a nationwide broadcast President Tinubu declared the emergency state and explained that it became necessary because Rivers State underwent political unrest because of differences between the governor and legislators.
Tinubu issued through his declaration that Governor Siminalayi Fubara along with his deputy Mrs. Ngozi Odu and all members of the House of Assembly of Rivers State would receive six-month suspension as documented in the declaration.
Tinubu appoints Admiral Ibas, stating his role
President Tinubu Tinubu appoints Admiral Ibas Ibokette (retd.) to handle state administration duties during the suspension term while advocating for the welfare of all Rivers State residents. The declaration leaves undisturbed the judicial operations of the state which must continue to perform according to their constitutional responsibilities.
Restoring stability
President Tinubu introduced these changes during the political instability of Rivers State with the goal to restore governance stability. Tinubu appoints Admiral Ibas while people view Admiral Ibas’s appointment as a new force that will establish order and solve Rivers State’s internal conflicts.