A Federal High Court in Port Harcourt has issued a significant ruling that bars the Rivers State Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (rtd.), from appointing new Sole Administrators to run the 23 local government areas (LGAs) in the state. The decision, handed down by Justice Adamu Turaki Muhammed, comes amid growing political tensions and concerns about the future of local government leadership in Rivers State.
The court’s ruling stems from a suit filed by the Pilex Centre for Civic Education Initiative, a civic organization led by Courage Msirimovu. The group sought an injunction to prevent Ibas, who is overseeing the administration of Rivers State following the suspension of Governor Fubara, from making further appointments in the state’s LGAs. The suit, which was filed on March 28, 2025, includes multiple reliefs, with the primary request being the court’s order to restrain the Sole Administrator from appointing Sole Administrators or similar positions for the local councils.
In a brief court session on Tuesday, Justice Muhammed granted the motion for an interim injunction, halting Ibas’s ability to make any appointments to run the LGAs. The judge cited sufficient grounds for granting the order and scheduled a hearing for April 14, 2025, to examine the case further and determine the next steps.
This legal decision comes at a time when political uncertainty is high in Rivers State. Following a ruling by the Supreme Court on February 28, which declared the elections of the last elected local council chairmen as illegal, the local government councils were left without duly elected leadership. In response, the suspended Governor Fubara had ordered the chairmen to hand over their responsibilities to the Heads of Local Government Administration (HLGA), who have since been running the 23 LGAs.
The judgment by the Federal High Court represents a significant moment in the ongoing political saga in Rivers State, particularly as the state has been under a state of emergency since the suspension of Governor Fubara. The appointment of a Sole Administrator to oversee the state in place of the governor raised concerns among political analysts, who feared that the administrator might use his position to further political interests and consolidate power. There were specific worries that Ibas might appoint administrators loyal to a particular political faction, thus shifting control of the LGAs in favor of certain political elites.
A key point of contention involves the power struggle between the political camp of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and that of the suspended Governor Fubara. These two factions have been locked in a bitter battle for control of Rivers State’s political structure. Ibas, appointed as Sole Administrator, is seen by many as being aligned with the Minister’s camp, which has led to fears that the administration of the 23 LGAs could fall into the hands of individuals loyal to this group. This was the primary motivation behind the Pilex Centre’s decision to seek judicial intervention.
In a statement, Courage Msirimovu, the leader of the Pilex Centre for Civic Education Initiative, expressed satisfaction with the court’s decision, calling it a victory for democracy and the rule of law. He emphasized that the group’s primary goal was to prevent the Sole Administrator from using his position to make political appointments that could undermine the democratic process in the state. According to Msirimovu, the appointment of Sole Administrators aligned with any particular political faction would only serve to deepen the existing political divide and exacerbate the challenges already facing the state.
“We are not against the functioning of the local government areas. What we seek is for the process to be transparent, fair, and inclusive, and to ensure that no group uses the current situation for political gain,” Msirimovu said. He also highlighted the importance of returning to democratic governance at the local government level as soon as possible, noting that the people of Rivers State deserve to have elected officials rather than appointed ones overseeing their affairs.
The position of Sole Administrator was created as a temporary solution after the suspension of Governor Fubara, but the power and influence associated with the role have raised serious concerns. With the suspension of the governor and the imposition of a state of emergency, Ibas’s role as the Sole Administrator has given him significant control over the state’s political structure. His ability to make appointments to key positions within the state, including the local government councils, has made him a figure of immense power and influence.
Political analysts have expressed concerns that Ibas might use this power to appoint individuals loyal to certain political figures, which could further destabilize the political landscape in Rivers State. In particular, there are fears that his appointments could serve to consolidate control of the local councils in favor of political interests that are not in line with the wishes of the electorate.
The state of emergency in Rivers State, which was imposed following the suspension of Governor Fubara, has had far-reaching consequences. The emergency measure, which was introduced to address political instability in the state, has led to the dissolution of elected local council chairmen and the appointment of interim administrators. While the measure was intended to restore order, it has instead led to an intensification of political struggles between rival factions.
The state of emergency has been a boon for certain political figures, particularly those aligned with the Minister of the FCT, whose influence has grown significantly in the wake of Fubara’s suspension. Many believe that the ongoing political maneuvering is aimed at securing long-term control of the state’s resources and political structure. However, the legal action taken by the Pilex Centre suggests that not everyone is content with the way the situation is unfolding.
As the court proceedings continue, the future of local governance in Rivers State remains uncertain. The ruling has temporarily blocked Ibas from appointing new administrators, but it does not resolve the underlying political issues in the state. The state of emergency, while intended to stabilize the situation, has only served to deepen the divisions and increase uncertainty.
Political observers are closely watching the case, as it could set a precedent for how local governments are administered in the absence of elected officials. While the interim measures may continue, many are calling for a return to democratic processes at the local level. This, they argue, is the only way to ensure that the people of Rivers State are truly represented in their governance.
The next hearing in the case is set for April 14, 2025, and it is expected to shed more light on the legal arguments surrounding the appointment of Sole Administrators and the future of local government leadership in Rivers State. Until then, the legal battle continues to unfold, with significant implications for the state’s political future.
