In Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok Ibas (retd) has been sworn in by President Bola Tinubu as the only administrator.
Sir Siminalayi Fubara, the recently relieved governor of the state, departed the government residence in Port Harcourt with his family and all of the security personnel.
At the Presidential Villa in Abuja, the new head of state was sworn in with the participation of important government figures. They are Hakeem Muri-Okunola, the Presidential Principal Secretary; Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, the Attorney-General of the Federation; and Femi Gbajabiamila, Chief of Staff.
Following his Tuesday proclamation of a state of emergency in Rivers State, President Tinubu has decided to designate a single administrator.
Additionally, he imposed a six-month initial suspension on all elected members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Governor Siminalayi Fubara, and his deputy, Ngozi Odu.
A power struggle between Governor Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, who is currently the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has been the main cause of Rivers State’s political instability for months.
The violence has further destabilized governance in the oil-rich state by causing conflicts within the government, including the defection of 27 lawmakers from the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Tinubu invoked Section 305 of the Nigerian Constitution to support the exceptional measure in a national broadcast on Tuesday, citing security risks, constitutional violations, and protracted political instability.
Under former President Muhammadu Buhari, Vice Admiral Ibok-Étè Ibas (retd) was the Chief of Naval Staff from 2015 to 2021.
With Tinubu stressing that his position is temporary and intended to ensure government continues unhindered, his appointment is perceived as an attempt to restore order and stability in Rivers State.
Critics contend that the suspension of elected officials is unlawful and amounts to an attack on democracy, yet the move has generated conflicting responses across the nation.
Rotimi Amaechi, the former governor of Rivers, and a number of other political leaders have urged the National Assembly, governors, and interested parties to oppose what they characterize as illegality.
As Nigerians await additional legislative measures from the National Assembly, which has not yet discussed the president’s proclamation, the situation is still tense.
Fubara departs the Government House.
In the meantime, Fubara, his family, and all security personnel have departed the government mansion in Port Harcourt.
According to a close source, the governor departed the seat of government “very late” on Tuesday night, just after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu declared an emergency.
Additionally, as of Wednesday afternoon at 2:00 PM, there is still little security at the government house; however, two APC armored personnel carriers were spotted in front of the building along with a few security personnel.
As of the time this report was filed, Port Harcourt and the surrounding area were operating normally, and it was evident that many state residents were still processing what had just happened to them.
Newsline reporter who kept an eye on the situation inside the government house reported that infrastructure had been set up to receive Ibas, as 15 soldiers were spotted inside the building ahead of the presidential administrator’s anticipated visit.
At the time this report was filed, the precise location of Governor Fubara and his family was unknown.
ALSO READ:
Amidst a Marital Problem, Annie Idibia Planned a Spectacular Comeback After Leaving Rehab.
