Nigeria’s President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu has administered the oaths of office on Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (Rtd.) as the Sole Administrator of Rivers State, following the declaration of a state of emergency in the state.
The swearing-in ceremony took place at the State House, Abuja, in the presence of Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila, Attorney-General and Minister of Justice Lateef Fagbemi, and other high-ranking officials.
The appointment came after President Tinubu suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and all members of the Rivers State House of Assembly for an initial period of six months due to the ongoing political crisis in the state.
Ibas, a retired naval officer, previously served as Chief of Naval Staff from 2015 to 2021 under former President Muhammadu Buhari.
His appointment as Sole Administrator places him in charge of governing Rivers State until normalcy is restored.
The decision to impose emergency rule in Rivers has sparked mixed reactions, with critics questioning its constitutional validity while supporters argue it is necessary to restore order.
As the situation unfolds, attention now shifts to how Ibas will navigate the crisis and whether the state of emergency will achieve lasting stability in Rivers State.