Breaking : Rivers Crisis, Tinubu appoints Ibas as Rivers Sole Administrator

Ibas will take over from Governor Siminalayi Fubara who was suspended for six months by President Tinubu following the declaration of a State of Emergency in the oil-rich State.

The development followed a prolonged political crisis in the State arising from the face-off between Fubara and 27 lawmakers.

Tinubu in a nationwide broadcast on Tuesday evening said: “By this declaration, the Governor of Rivers State, Mr Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Mrs Ngozi Odu and all elected members of the House of Assembly of Rivers State are hereby suspended for an initial period of six months.

“In the meantime, I hereby nominate Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (Rtd) as Administrator to take charge of the affairs of the state in the interest of the good people of Rivers State. For the avoidance of doubt, this declaration does not affect the judicial arm of Rivers State, which shall continue to function in accordance with their constitutional mandate.

“The Administrator will not make any new laws. He will, however, be free to formulate regulations as may be found necessary to do his job, but such regulations will need to be considered and approved by the Federal Executive Council and promulgated by the President for the state.”