Tinubu swears in Ibok-Ete Ibas as Rivers sole administrator

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

The swearing-in ceremony took place on Wednesday afternoon at the State House in Abuja, following a closed-door meeting between President Tinubu, Attorney General of the Federation Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, and Ibas.

This comes a day after Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, suspending Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and all elected members of the Rivers State House of Assembly for an initial period of six months.

As part of the emergency measures, the President appointed Ibas, a former Chief of Naval Staff, to oversee the state’s administration until stability is restored.

During his nationwide broadcast announcing the decision, Tinubu emphasized that the move was in the interest of Rivers State residents.

“In the meantime, I hereby nominate Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.) as Administrator to take charge of the affairs of the state in the interest of the good people of Rivers State,” the President stated.

He further clarified that the emergency declaration would not affect the judicial arm of the state, which would continue to function as mandated by the constitution.