In a decisive move aimed at restoring order and governance in Rivers State, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed Vice Admiral Onok Ete Ibas as the sole Administrator of the state, following his declaration of a state of emergency on March 18, 2025. The announcement comes amid a prolonged political crisis in Rivers State that has rendered its government dysfunctional.
As part of the emergency measures, Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Mrs. Ngozi Odu, and all members of the Rivers State House of Assembly have been suspended for an initial period of six months. This bold action aims to address the crisis that has been affecting the state for over a year, with no resolution in sight despite repeated efforts at dialogue and intervention.
The decision to declare a state of emergency follows months of escalating tensions and legal battles between Governor Fubara and the Rivers State House of Assembly. The crisis reached a boiling point when, in December 2023, Governor Fubara demolished the state House of Assembly, a move that effectively paralyzed the state’s governance. Since then, the government has been unable to function properly, with no clear leadership and a growing sense of uncertainty among the people of Rivers State.
President Tinubu, in his broadcast announcing the state of emergency, expressed deep concern over the situation, stating that democratic governance could not thrive under the prevailing conditions. He emphasized that the people of Rivers State had been deprived of the benefits of democracy, including access to effective governance and public services. Despite efforts from various stakeholders to mediate between the warring factions, the situation remained unresolved, prompting the federal government to take extraordinary measures.
The declaration of a state of emergency is not an action taken lightly. It was done after careful consideration of the political climate in Rivers State, as well as the failure of both the executive and legislative arms of the state to resolve the crisis. President Tinubu made it clear that this move was necessary to restore peace, order, and governance to the state.
Vice Admiral Ibokette Ete Ibas, a retired naval officer, has been appointed as the sole administrator of Rivers State during this period of emergency governance. Ibas, born on September 27, 1960, brings with him decades of military experience, having served as the 22nd Chief of Naval Staff (CNS) of the Nigerian Navy from 2015 to 2021.
His career in the Nigerian Navy spans several decades, beginning in 1979 when he enlisted in the Nigerian Defence Academy. He was commissioned as a sub-lieutenant in 1983, and over the years, he has attended numerous military courses both within Nigeria and internationally. These courses include specialized training in underwater warfare, amphibious warfare, and staff courses at prestigious military institutions in the United States, India, and Pakistan.
Ibas has held several high-profile positions within the Nigerian Navy, including commanding officer of various naval units, executive officer on naval ships, and director at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College in Jaji, Kaduna. His leadership abilities and extensive experience in military operations and administration have earned him recognition, and in 2022, he was awarded the Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR), a Nigerian national honor.
In addition to his military qualifications, Vice Admiral Ibas holds a master’s degree in defense and strategic studies from Quaid-i-Azam University in Islamabad, Pakistan. He is also an alumnus of the prestigious Harvard Kennedy School in the United States, where he attended a capacity development course. Ibas’s well-rounded experience and extensive training in both military and administrative roles make him a strong candidate to oversee Rivers State during this critical period.
As the sole administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibas will be responsible for managing the affairs of the state, ensuring the safety and well-being of its citizens, and overseeing the restoration of constitutional governance. However, under the state of emergency, he will not have the authority to make new laws. His role will be limited to formulating necessary regulations, which will need approval from the Federal Executive Council before they can be promulgated by the President.
Ibas’s primary goal will be to stabilize the state and resolve the ongoing political crisis. This includes facilitating the reconstruction of the state House of Assembly, which has been a central issue in the conflict. He will also need to address growing security concerns in the state, including the rise of militant activities that have exacerbated the political instability.
The federal government has expressed its commitment to supporting Ibas’s administration to ensure the safety of lives and property in Rivers State. This includes protecting vital infrastructure, such as oil pipelines, which have been targeted by militants in recent months. The President has directed security agencies to step up their efforts to maintain law and order during this period.
The decision to declare a state of emergency in Rivers State was not made in isolation. It follows a series of legal rulings, including a significant judgment by the Supreme Court on February 28, 2025. In its ruling, the Supreme Court found that Governor Fubara’s actions had violated the Nigerian Constitution, particularly in relation to the dissolution of the state House of Assembly. The court had ordered that the Assembly be reinstated, but the governor failed to comply, leading to further legal and political gridlock.
The Supreme Court also ruled that 27 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, who had been accused of defecting, were still valid members and should be allowed to participate in the legislative process. Despite these clear directives, the state government continued to refuse to cooperate with the judiciary, further eroding the rule of law in the state.
President Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency is a response to this breakdown in governance and the failure of the state’s leaders to adhere to constitutional norms. By suspending Governor Fubara, his deputy, and the entire House of Assembly, the federal government aims to create a window for political and administrative restructuring, with the goal of returning the state to democratic rule once the crisis is resolved.
The declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State and the appointment of Vice Admiral Ibas as the sole administrator is seen as a necessary step to restore order and governance in the state. It is a temporary but crucial measure aimed at resolving a crisis that has gone on for too long, depriving the people of Rivers State of the governance and services they deserve.
As Ibas takes charge of the state, the people of Rivers State will be looking to the federal government to ensure that this intervention brings about positive change. The coming months will be crucial in determining whether the state can return to a functional and democratic government, or whether the political turmoil will continue to hinder its progress.
In the meantime, President Tinubu has made it clear that the federal government will continue to monitor the situation closely and provide the necessary support to ensure that the state is governed in the best interests of its people. The declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State is a historic moment in Nigerian politics, signaling the federal government’s commitment to upholding the rule of law and restoring stability to the country’s troubled regions.
