Tinubu’s Sole Administrator in Rivers State Suspends All Political Officeholders

The Rivers State Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), has ordered the suspension of all political officeholders in the state in a sweeping directive that further consolidates federal control over the oil-rich region.

The suspension, which takes immediate effect from Wednesday, March 26, 2025, applies to the Secretary to the State Government, the Chief of Staff, all commissioners, chairmen, and members of boards, agencies, commissions, institutions, and parastatals. All special advisers, special assistants, and senior special assistants are also affected.

According to a statement issued by the Chief of Staff to the Sole Administrator, all affected officials must hand over their responsibilities to the highest-ranking civil servants in their respective ministries, departments, and agencies. Where a permanent secretary is unavailable, the most senior director or head of administration will assume leadership.

The move followed an earlier directive instructing all 23 local government councils in Rivers State to submit comprehensive reports on their activities, staffing, and sources of revenue. That order, issued by the Permanent Secretary of the Rivers State Ministry of Local Government Affairs, Dr Itong Awani, mandated Heads of Local Government Administration (HLGAs) to submit detailed reports by March 26, 2025.

This comes after the Nigerian National Assembly approved Fubara’s suspension and subsequent appointment of a sole administrator to control the state’s ₦1.176 trillion budget, which has been transferred from the elected governor to the federally appointed administrator. The budget includes ₦559.1 billion from the Federation Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC), averaging a monthly revenue of ₦46.5 billion.

Critics view these actions as part of a broader strategy by the federal government to tighten its grip on Rivers State’s political and financial structures.

It will be recalled that the state has been engulfed in a long-standing political feud between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his former ally, Nyesom Wike, who now serves as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory. The power struggle escalated when lawmakers loyal to Wike attempted to remove Fubara from office, leading to a prolonged crisis.

Citing security concerns, after an explosion struck the Trans-Niger Pipeline at Bodo in Gokana Local Government Area in the state, Tinubu declared a state of emergency, effectively stripping Fubara of his executive powers. This led to the appointment of Vice Admiral Ibas as Sole Administrator to oversee the state for six months.

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