In a dramatic turn of events, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), the Sole Administrator of Rivers State, has approved the appointment of administrators for all 23 Local Government Areas in the state—less than 24 hours after a Federal High Court in Port Harcourt issued a restraining order against such actions.
The order, issued by Justice Adam Muhammed, was based on suit no. FHC/PH/CS/46/2025, filed by PILEX Centre for Civic Education Initiative, led by Courage Msirimovu. The suit sought to prevent the Sole Administrator from appointing LGA administrators, arguing that the move contravenes existing legal frameworks.
In a Special Government Announcement issued Wednesday morning by Prof. Ibibia Worika, Secretary to the State Government, it was revealed that the appointments had already been approved and would take effect from Monday, April 7, 2025. While the names of the new LGA administrators were not disclosed, the announcement also confirmed the reconstitution of boards for previously suspended state agencies, commissions, and parastatals.
“His Excellency The Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral (Rtd) Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas CFR, has approved the appointments of administrators for the 23 Local Government Areas of Rivers State,” the statement read.
Ongoing Restructuring in Rivers State Governance
This decision follows a series of controversial governance moves by Ibas since assuming office. Just last week, he suspended all heads of Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) in Rivers State. Additionally, he cancelled all ongoing procurement and tender processes, citing the absence of an appropriation law and the implications of a recent Supreme Court judgment.
Affected MDAs were instructed to refund all fees paid by contractors for the cancelled tenders, in what the government says is an attempt to reset the administrative and financial processes of the state.
The timing and legality of these sweeping actions by the Sole Administrator have sparked concern among civic groups and legal experts. With the court having clearly restrained further appointments at the LGA level, the move could set the stage for a legal and constitutional face-off in Rivers State.
Meanwhile, civic organizations have continued to raise alarm over the potential erosion of democratic processes, particularly in local governance, if the administrator continues to act outside judicial boundaries.
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