Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, the newly appointed Sole Administrator of Rivers State, has officially assumed office.
The former Chief of Naval Staff arrived at the Government House, Port Harcourt, at noon on Thursday, following a reception at the airport led by Rivers State Head of Service, George Nwaeke.
Ibas was accompanied by top security officials, including the General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the 6 Division, Nigerian Army; the Commander of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Pathfinder; and the Commander of 115 Special Operations Group, Nigerian Air Force. Others present included the Commissioner of Police, the Director of the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Director of Energy Security from the Office of the National Security Adviser.
Upon his arrival, Ibas proceeded to the State Executive Council Chambers, where he was welcomed by Permanent Secretaries. He then held a closed-door meeting with security heads, the Commissioner of Police, the DSS Director, the Head of Service, and other senior officials.
Speaking to journalists after the meeting, Ibas stated that discussions with security agencies were still ongoing. While he refrained from making detailed statements, he assured the public that Rivers State remains calm and pledged to restore stability completely.
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His assumption of duty comes just two days after President Bola Tinubu appointed him as Sole Administrator following the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly due to the state’s prolonged political crisis.
Ibas met with Tinubu on Wednesday before being officially sworn in at the State House in Abuja.
President Tinubu had declared a state of emergency in Rivers, citing security concerns, particularly the vandalization of pipelines by militants. However, the decision has sparked criticism from opposition leaders and prominent Nigerians, including Peter Obi, Atiku Abubakar, Rotimi Amaechi, and Nasir El-Rufai. Despite the backlash, the Federal Government has defended the president’s move as necessary for restoring order in the state.
