NIGERIA: Ibas Appoints Administrators For 23 Local Government Areas In Rivers

By Ameenat Hamzat, Lagos, Nigeria 

Despite a recent court order restraining him from doing so, Rivers State Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), has approved the appointment of administrators for the 23 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the state.

The development comes less than 24 hours after Justice Adam Muhammed of the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt issued a restraining order in Suit No. FHC/PH/CS/46/2025.

The case was filed by PILEX Centre for Civic Education Initiative, led by Courage Msirimovu, challenging the legality of Ibas’ powers to make such appointments.

In defiance of the order, Ibas went ahead to not only appoint LG administrators but also reconstituted boards of various agencies, commissions, and parastatals which had previously been suspended.

The announcement was made through a Special Government Announcement issued on Wednesday morning, by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Ibibia Worika.

“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,” the statement read.

“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,” Worika added.

Just last week, Ibas had suspended all heads of Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) in the state. He also cancelled all ongoing procurement and tender processes carried out by MDAs, citing legal and financial concerns.

According to an earlier statement by the SSG, Ibas said, “The cancellation became necessary following the Supreme Court judgment and the absence of an appropriation law within the period.”

He directed that, “All MDAs that carried out such tender processes for projects in their respective offices must refund the fees collected to the contractors without delay.”