The Federal Government’s appointee for overseeing Rivers State, Retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, has ordered the immediate suspension of all political appointees and public officeholders in the state.
The administrator’s chief of staff stated in a statement released on Wednesday that Ibas was given the authority to deliver this directive by President Bola Tinubu.
The directive encompasses the Secretary to the State Government, the Chief of Staff, all commissioners, chairpersons, and members of governing bodies, agencies, commissions, and state-owned enterprises, alongside all special advisers, special assistants, and senior special assistants.
“This suspension is to be implemented starting Wednesday, March 26, 2025. The affected individuals are mandated to transfer their responsibilities to the permanent secretaries within their respective Ministries, Departments, and Agencies.
“In instances where a permanent secretary is not present, they are to transfer their duties to the most senior director or head of administration,” the communique detailed.
Ibas assumed the role of appointed administrator on Wednesday, March 19, following his inauguration by President Bola Tinubu, after the president declared a state of emergency within Rivers State.
The president also placed Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and all elected members of the Rivers State House of Assembly under suspension for an initial duration of six months. Ibas, who previously held the position of chief of naval staff, pledged to uphold law and order within the state.
“If the core objective is to ensure the maintenance of law and order within the state, I believe that this is the paramount task required to facilitate any meaningful activities within Rivers State,” he articulated to State House correspondents following his inauguration.
In addition, he promised to work with all parties involved to ensure that the state’s order was restored.
