Ibok-Ete Ibas New Appointment: Is Rivers State Falling Apart?

President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State on the evening of Tuesday, March 18, 2025, suspending Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his Deputy, Ngozi Nma Ordu, and all members of the State Assembly. He also appointed Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (Rtd) as the Administrator to oversee the state’s administration.

This decision comes after months of escalating political unrest and violence in the oil-rich region, primarily fueled by a bitter power struggle between Governor Fubara and Nyesom Wike, the former Governor of Rivers State and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The President’s action has faced widespread criticism from prominent political figures, civil society organizations, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), and many residents of Rivers State.

Rivers Head of Service resigns from office

One week following the President’s announcement, Rivers State’s Head of Service, Dr. George Nwaeke, resigned from his position. His resignation was made public in a statement on Tuesday, signed by the Chief of Staff to the Rivers State Sole Administrator, Retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas.

The statement expressed gratitude for Nwaeke’s contributions to the administration during his brief tenure and wished him well in his future endeavors. It also reaffirmed the Sole Administrator’s commitment to maintaining neutrality, peace, and stability in Rivers State’s governance.

Ibok-Ete Ibas Appoints

Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, the Sole Administrator of Rivers State, has appointed Dr. Iyingi Brown as the acting Head of Service following the resignation of Dr. George Nwaeke.

Dr. Brown, who was previously the Permanent Secretary for Welfare in the Office of the Head of Service, will serve in the role on an interim basis until a permanent replacement is appointed.

In addition to Brown’s appointment, Ibas named Professor Ibibia Worika as the new Secretary to the State Government. Worika, a professor from Okrika Local Government Area, was chosen after a thorough evaluation of his qualifications and experience.

“Professor Worika’s distinguished career spans academia, international legal practice, and high-level policy advisory roles, making him uniquely qualified to support the Administrator in the onerous task of achieving Mr. President’s mandate. His appointment takes immediate effect,” a statement from the Rivers State Government House read.

Court Asked To Sack Ibok-Ete Ibas

The Federal High Court in Abuja has been requested to remove the recently appointed Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (retired).

President Bola Tinubu is named as the 1st defendant, while Vice Admiral Ibas, the Attorney-General of the Federation, and the Attorneys-General of the 36 states are listed as defendants from the 2nd to the 39th positions in the suit.

The legal document, filed by Abuja-based lawyer Mr. Johnmary Jideobi, also asks the court to declare as void “all actions and decisions made by the Sole Administrator of Rivers State.”

Additionally, the plaintiff seeks a perpetual order of injunction, restraining Tinubu, either personally or through his officers, “from either removing, suspending or otherwise tampering with the tenure of the Governor and Deputy-Governor of Rivers State or any other State in Nigeria.”

As of now, no hearing date has been set for the case.