A fresh wave of political anxiety has gripped Rivers State following reports that Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (rtd), is poised to appoint administrators to lead the state’s 23 local government areas, a move that threatens to ignite a new crisis.
Sources close to the development allege that President Bola Tinubu, upon Ibas’s appointment, tasked him with establishing a new leadership structure within the state’s local government system. The administrator, despite initial promises of peace, is now reportedly on the verge of executing this directive.
Insiders express deep concern that Ibas’s alleged plan blatantly disregards the Nigerian Constitution and the recent Supreme Court judgment, which unequivocally affirms the autonomy of local governments and mandates governance by elected officials. They argue that appointing handpicked administrators would be a profound violation of democratic principles and the rule of law.
“This move, if carried out, would amount to a disregard for democratic principles and a violation of the Supreme Court’s ruling, which reaffirmed that local governments must be governed by elected officials, not handpicked appointees,” a source, speaking on condition of anonymity, stated.
Allegations have surfaced that a list of potential administrators has already been compiled, fueling fears of a calculated attempt to undermine the will of the people. Furthermore, concerns are mounting that these appointments are heavily skewed in favor of a prominent political figure within the state.
Consequently, political factions opposed to this move are reportedly preparing for a significant confrontation upon the official announcement of the appointments. Sources warn that such action could trigger a severe crisis within the local government system and establish a perilous precedent for executive overreach.
“Nigerians must remain vigilant against this unconstitutional manoeuvre, as it threatens the foundation of grassroots democracy,” the source cautioned. “Any attempt to impose unelected administrators on LGs must be met with firm resistance from law-abiding citizens, political stakeholders, and civil society groups.”
The next 24 hours are poised to be critical, determining whether the rule of law prevails or succumbs to perceived impunity.
