Niger Delta human rights activist Ann-Kio Briggs has asserted that the actions of Rivers State Administrator Ibok Ete Ibas are at odds with the stated purpose of his appointment by President Bola Tinubu.
Ibas, who served as Nigeria’s Chief of Naval Staff from July 2015 to January 2021, was appointed by Tinubu as the Administrator of Rivers State in March, following the President’s declaration of a state of emergency and the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu.
Tinubu had stated that his decision was aimed at restoring peace to the state, which was experiencing political tension between Governor Fubara and FCT Minister Nyesom Wike.
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However, during an appearance on Channels Television’s “Politics Today” on Monday, Ann-Kio Briggs alleged that Ibas is exacerbating the situation rather than resolving it, contradicting the President’s stated intentions.
“First of all, I can assure you that he is pouring petrol on a fire Mr President believes that was on,” Ann-Kio Briggs said on the programme.
“So, he was told to come and pour water on that fire, to quench it. Well, he has done nothing of the sort, I have told you that he has removed people who were constitutionally and democratically in governance.
“There were no issues, and he came along and removed everybody. Even in the government house, it is alleged that he has removed the pictures of Siminalayi Fubara. I repeat Siminalayi Fubara remains the governor of Rivers State.”
Briggs accused Ibas of instigating violence in Rivers State, asserting that the retired military chief is not welcome in the region.
She argued that despite the President’s initial declaration of a six-month duration for the state of emergency, he retains the authority to reverse his decision and restore the previous state of affairs at any time.
Earlier on Monday, Port Harcourt, the capital of Rivers State, witnessed two separate women’s rallies.
One group expressed support for Ibas and the emergency rule, while another group, some of whom were partially undressed, demanded the reinstatement of Governor Fubara.
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