Confusion as Rivers LG administrator denies resignation

The Sole Administrator of Ahoada East Local Government Area in Rivers State, Hon. Goodluck Iheamnacho, has denied reports of his resignation, describing a widely circulated letter announcing his exit as fake and the product of intimidation.

In a radio interview, Iheamnacho insisted that he remains in office and urged the public to disregard the resignation letter dated June 20, 2025, which cited a desire to return to the private sector as his reason for stepping down.

“I did not resign from my appointment as the sole administrator of Ahoada-East,” he declared. “I was attacked in my office, and the letter they brought was not signed by me. I know nothing about the letter.”

According to Iheamnacho, he was ambushed by unidentified hoodlums in his office who carted away personal documents, including sensitive materials. He claims the so-called resignation letter was a product of that incident and not a true reflection of his intent.

The disputed letter, addressed to the Rivers State Government House in Port Harcourt, had expressed appreciation to the government and people of Ahoada East, stating that Iheamnacho wished to return to the private sector after serving from April 11 to June 20, 2025.

However, the situation has taken another twist as Hector Ekeakita, Chief Security Officer of Ahoada East LGA, contradicted Iheamnacho’s account in a separate radio interview. Ekeakita maintained that the resignation was genuine and not the result of violence or intimidation.

According to him, the administrator was pressured to resign by local youths who stormed the council in protest over alleged mismanagement.

“He was not attacked by thugs,” Ekeakita said. “Those were Ahoada East youths who came in their numbers to demand accountability. They accused him of siphoning council funds and neglecting basic duties like sanitation. He stays in Port Harcourt to run the local government and no staff comes to work. They asked him to step down, and under pressure, he agreed.”

Iheamnacho’s appointment as the council boss came as part of a controversial move by the Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (Rtd.), who appointed 23 administrators to oversee local governments across the state.