Retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, the appointed Sole Administrator of Rivers State, has executed a comprehensive suspension of all political appointees and office holders, signaling a decisive reconfiguration of the state’s administrative framework. This action, enacted under the authority vested by President Bola Tinubu, was officially announced on Wednesday, Africa Update was reliably informed.
The directive encompasses a broad spectrum of officials, including the Secretary to the State Government, the Chief of Staff, all commissioners, chairpersons and members of boards, agencies, commissions, and parastatals, as well as all Special Advisers, Special Assistants, and Senior Special Assistants.
A critical component of this mandate requires all suspended officials to immediately facilitate a structured handover of responsibilities to the respective permanent secretaries within their ministries, departments, and agencies. In instances where a permanent secretary is not present, the handover is to be executed to the most senior director or head of administration.
Vice Admiral Ibas’s appointment as Sole Administrator, which occurred on March 19th following President Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, also included the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu, and all elected members of the Rivers State House of Assembly for a six-month period.
Upon assuming his role, the former Chief of Naval Staff articulated his primary objective, stating to State House correspondents, “If the main issue is that of maintaining law and order in the state, I think for any meaningful activities to take place in Rivers State, that is the utmost task that I have.”
Vice Admiral Ibas has pledged to foster collaborative engagements with all stakeholders to effectively restore order and facilitate a stable environment within the state. This initiative underscores a commitment to addressing the prevailing governance challenges and ensuring the resumption of effective administrative functions.
