The sole administrator of Rivers State, Ibok-Ete Ibas, has dismissed all political officeholders appointed by the suspended governor, Sim Fubara.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by his Chief of Staff, Ibas directed that the suspension takes immediate effect.
Mass Dismissal of Political Appointees
The affected officials include:
- The Secretary to the State Government
- The Chief of Staff
- Commissioners
- Heads of boards, councils, agencies, and commissions
- Special advisers and assistants
The dismissed officials are instructed to hand over to permanent secretaries or, where unavailable, the most senior directors.
The statement cited President Bola Tinubu’s emergency proclamation, which conferred administrative authority on Vice-Admiral (Rtd) Ibas to govern Rivers State.
Background: Tinubu Declares State of Emergency
On March 18, President Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers due to political instability, suspending:
- Governor Siminalayi Fubara
- Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu
- The entire Rivers State House of Assembly for six months
Ibas, a former naval chief, was immediately appointed as the state’s sole administrator.
PDP Governors Challenge Tinubu’s Decision in Supreme Court
Seven PDP governors—from Bauchi, Adamawa, Bayelsa, Enugu, Osun, Plateau, and Zamfara—have filed a lawsuit at the Supreme Court challenging Tinubu’s suspension of Fubara and his deputy.
They argue that:
- The 1999 Constitution (as amended) does not grant the President the power to remove a democratically elected governor under the pretext of emergency rule.
- The National Assembly’s ratification of Tinubu’s action through voice votes was unconstitutional.
The suit seeks:
- Reinstatement of Governor Fubara and his deputy
- Nullification of the state of emergency in Rivers
- An order restraining Tinubu from suspending any other elected governor
The legal battle could set a major constitutional precedent on the limits of presidential powers over state governments.
