NIGERIA: Tension Escalates In Rivers As Ann-Kio Briggs Accuses Ibas Of Fueling Political Fire

By Onoja Baba, Nigeria

Prominent Niger Delta activist and environmental rights advocate, Ann-Kio Briggs, has raised alarm over what she describes as the Federal Government’s dangerous meddling in the political affairs of Rivers State.

She accused the appointed sole administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), of deepening an already volatile crisis.

Appearing on Arise Television on Thursday, Briggs minced no words in her blistering critique of Ibas, stating that his recent actions in the state amounted to “pouring petrol on a fire” that should have been extinguished with caution and constitutional restraint.

“If we accept that Vice Admiral Ibas was called out of retirement and sent to Rivers State to keep the peace, then he is very far from doing that.

In fact, what he’s doing is pouring petrol on a fire the president may have thought was simmering. He’s set it ablaze,” she declared.

Briggs’s criticism follows a flurry of controversial decisions by Ibas, who assumed an extraordinary administrative role after President Bola Tinubu suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara amid escalating political tension in the state.

Rivers has since operated without commissioners or a functioning executive council, effectively placing Ibas in sole control.

But rather than acting as a stabilizing caretaker, Ibas has allegedly moved with sweeping force—dissolving elected local government structures, installing caretaker administrators loyal to a particular political bloc, and even reconstituting the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission in a move Briggs describes as both unconstitutional and politically motivated.

“He’s not from Rivers State. How does he know who to appoint? On what basis is he removing civil servants and replacing them? That’s unconstitutional,” Briggs fumed.

The activist accused Ibas of carrying out the bidding of powerful interests, particularly allies of former Governor Nyesom Wike, now Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.

“The people being removed are not Wike’s people. The people he is bringing in are Wike’s people. It doesn’t take a brain surgeon to figure that out. He’s playing a dangerous script,” she said.

While the Tinubu administration may have intended to stabilize Rivers State through the appointment of a trusted retired military officer, Briggs argues the move has had the opposite effect.

“There was no insecurity in Rivers State. The president has been grossly misinformed—through no fault of his own—but clearly misinformed by those with personal, political, economic, and power interests in Rivers State,” she said.

Briggs warned that the federal government’s actions are alienating the people of Rivers and potentially pushing the state toward unrest.

“There is serious concern. I say this as a daughter of Rivers State. This kind of situation can explode,” she cautioned.

As an alternative path to peace, she called for respected national figures with a track record of neutrality and integrity to be brought into any mediation efforts.

She specifically mentioned Bishop Matthew Kukah and General Abdulsalami Abubakar as credible candidates to lead reconciliation efforts in the state.

“We would have more confidence if neutral individuals like them were involved. Frankly, we don’t want Ibas in that role,” Briggs added.