The Ijaw National Congress (INC) and the Rivers State Elders and Leaders Council have criticized the sole administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), following his suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s appointees.
Similarly, the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) has condemned Ibas’s actions, alleging they are part of a broader scheme to loot the state’s resources. Ibas, in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Wednesday through his unnamed Chief of Staff, suspended the Secretary to the State Government, commissioners, and other appointees of the governor.
‘Ibas’ Actions Are Illegal’
Reacting to the development, the President of the Ijaw National Congress, Prof. Benjamin Okaba, declared Ibas’s actions unlawful, arguing that both his appointment and subsequent actions lack constitutional backing.
“The constitution does not provide for the suspension of an elected governor or the appointment of a sole administrator in a state. Section 308 of our constitution is clear on this, and those conditions were never met. His position is illegal, and any actions taken are void,” Okaba stated.
He further alleged that suspending the commissioners and the Secretary to the State Government was part of a broader scheme to take control of Rivers State and its resources. “This is a script aimed at state capture,” he asserted.
Okaba also accused key figures in the executive, judiciary, and legislature of collaborating to undermine democracy in Rivers State. “The rule of law has been replaced by personal interests, and this is dangerous for democracy,” he said.
Elders Condemn Ibas’ Appointment
Similarly, a member of the Rivers State Elders and Leaders Council and former spokesman of the Pan Niger Delta Forum, Anabs Sara-Igbe, described Ibas’s appointment by President Bola Tinubu as unconstitutional.
Sara-Igbe criticized the withholding of state allocations on the grounds that Fubara had not presented the budget, while funds were released to Ibas, whom he described as holding an “illegal office.”
“The Supreme Court ruled that the state budget should not be paid until the governor presents it. The governor attempted to present the budget, but he was blocked. When the impeachment process failed, they brought in a former military chief to take over, which is unconstitutional,” Sara-Igbe argued.
He further stated that the Nigerian Constitution does not permit a sole administrator to act as a governor or dismiss commissioners and appoint local government administrators.
IYC Alleges Dictatorship
The Ijaw Youth Council Worldwide also expressed concerns over recent developments, claiming the ultimate goal was to exploit the state’s resources.
The Secretary-General of IYC Worldwide, Maobuye Obu, in a statement on Thursday, accused Ibas of acting on behalf of former governor and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
“The suspension of statutory commissions and boards with clear tenures is an affront to democracy. This reckless move is a desperate attempt to eliminate all checks and balances to enable the looting of Rivers State’s resources,” the statement read.
The IYC warned of serious security implications, stating that sidelining legitimate government officials could lead to political instability.
“By creating disaffection and sidelining democratic governance, the administrator is pushing Rivers State toward crisis. This is not about governance but about consolidating power for personal interests,” Obu added.
APC Backs Tinubu’s Declaration
The Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has defended Tinubu’s declaration of emergency in Rivers State, arguing that it has resolved 90% of the political crisis and prevented anarchy.
Rivers APC caretaker committee chairman, Tony Okocha, stated in Abuja that Tinubu’s intervention was necessary. He dismissed claims that Wike orchestrated the crisis, arguing that the impeachment attempt against Fubara was justified.
“The state of emergency declaration saved Rivers State from anarchy. The impeachment or suspension of Fubara has resolved most of the political crisis in the state,” Okocha stated.
NLC Threatens Strike Over Unpaid Salaries
The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) in Rivers State has decried the non-payment of salaries to local government workers since February. The NLC threatened to withdraw its members from service if their salaries were not paid along with that of March.
State NLC Chairman, Alex Agwanwor, warned that failure to implement the minimum wage at the local government level by the end of March would result in a statewide strike.
“Workers’ salaries, especially at the local government level, have not been paid since February 2025. We demand immediate implementation of the minimum wage and payment of all outstanding salaries,” Agwanwor said.
Civil Society Coalition Petitions United Nations
A coalition of about 30 civil society organizations (CSOs) has petitioned the United Nations, calling for sanctions against Nigeria if democratic governance is not restored in Rivers State.
The coalition condemned the state of emergency and the suspension of Governor Fubara, his deputy, and members of the State House of Assembly. The petition, addressed to the UN Human Rights Committee in New York, called on the UN to prevail on Tinubu to uphold democratic principles.
The petition alleged that the crisis in Rivers was orchestrated by Wike, who had attempted to micromanage elected officials after his tenure as governor.
It also cited Section 109(1)(g) of the Nigerian Constitution, which stipulates that lawmakers who defect from their political party automatically lose their seats.
“The Nigerian Constitution is clear that legislators who defect without a division in their party lose their seats. Yet, 27 lawmakers defected from the PDP to the APC, plunging the state into crisis,” the coalition stated.
The CSOs urged the UN to take action, including sanctions against Nigeria for failing to uphold democratic governance in Rivers State.
Conclusion
As tensions continue to rise, stakeholders across Rivers State and beyond remain divided over the legitimacy of the emergency declaration and the appointment of Ibas. While some argue that Tinubu’s intervention has restored order, others see it as a blatant assault on democracy. The coming days will determine the trajectory of governance in the oil-rich state.
