President Tinubu swears in Ibas as Rivers sole administrator (photos)

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu this afternoon swore in the new Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (Rtd), into office.

The swearing-in ceremony which took place in the President’s office in Aso Rock, was witnessed by the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila; Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi; the Principal Private Secretary to the President, Hakeem Muri-Okunola; and the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.

The President performed the swearing in some minutes before 3 pm.

Recall that on Tuesday, March 18, President Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, suspending Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and all elected members of the Rivers State House of Assembly for an initial period of six months. In a national broadcast, the President hinged his decision on the prolonged political instability, constitutional breaches, and security threats in the state. The President also announced the appointment of Vice Admiral Ibok-Étè Ibas (retd.) as the sole administrator to oversee the state’s affairs until normalcy is restored. Ibas served as Chief of Naval Staff from 2015 to 2021 under former President Muhammadu Buhari.