Rivers Sole Administrator Suspends Political Office Holders

Ibok-Ete Ibas, the sole administrator of Rivers, has suspended all political officeholders in the state.

In a statement signed by the chief of staff to the administrator on Wednesday, the suspension takes immediate effect.

Those affected by the suspension include secretary to the state government, chief of staff, commissioners; chairmen and members of all boards, councils of agencies, commissions, institutions, and parastatals; and special advisers, special assistants and senior special assistants.

The suspended officials are to hand over to the permanent secretary and where there is no permanent secretary, the most senior director should take charge.

‘This is pursuant to the powers conferred on the administrator of Rivers state, His Excellency, Vice-Admiral (RTD) Ibok Ete Ekwe Ibas CFR, by the President, His Excellency, Ashiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR),” the statement reads.

On March 18, President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in the oil-rich state over the political crisis and instability in the state.

He also suspended Siminalayi Fubara, governor of the state; his deputy, Ngozi Odu; and all members of the Rivers assembly for an initial period of six months.

The president immediately appointed Ibas, a retired naval chief, as the state’s sole administrator.