The Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice-Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (Rtd.) has appointed sole administrators to run the affairs of the 23 local government areas if the state with effect from Monday, April 7, 2025.
A statement issued by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Ibibia Worika, did not however list the names of the local government administrators and the new board members.
The appointments came after a Courage Nsirimovu filed a case at the Federal High Court, Port Harcourt seeking to stop the appointments.
The Supreme Court had in 2024 declared that it was illegal to run local governments with unelected officials. But the court on February 18 dissolved the elected local governments in Rivers State.
On March 18, 2025, President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State and suspended the Governor and the House of Assembly, an action that has drawn criticism and opposition.
The latest action of Sole Administrator Ibas may as well draw further controversy.
Below is the text of the statement by the Secretary to the State Government:
GOVERNMENT SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT
His Excellency The Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral (Rtd) Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas CFR, has approved the appointments of Administrators for the 23 Local Government Areas of Rivers State.
He has also approved the reconstitution of some Boards of Agencies, Commissions, and Parastatals, earlier suspended.
All appointments take effect from Monday, the 7th of April 2025
PROF IBIBIA LUCKY WORIKA
SECRETARY TO THE STATE GOVERNMENT
