Human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) has called on President Bola Tinubu to remove Vice Admiral Ibok-ete Ibas (rtd.), the Sole Administrator for Rivers State, citing a breach of presidential orders.
On Thursday, Falana argued that the retired naval chief violated the orders outlined in the Official Gazette dated March 18, 2025, titled “State of Emergency (Rivers State) Proclamation, 2025.”
Falana pointed out that the gazette explicitly states that the sole administrator “shall operate on the basis of such Regulations that may, from time to time, be issued by me (Tinubu).”
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“It is common knowledge that President Bola Tinubu has not issued any Regulation for the operation of the Sole Administrator. But, the Sole Administrator has made appointments and removed officials appointed by Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
“By treating the orders of President Bola Tinubu with contempt, the Sole Administrator has compounded the illegality of his appointment. The Sole Administrator ought to be removed without any further delay,” Falana said.
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President Tinubu appointed Vice Admiral Ibok-ete Ibas as the Sole Administrator of Rivers State on March 18, 2025, when he declared a state of emergency in the state and suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu, and the members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
Tinubu based his decision on Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution, stating that he could not allow the escalating political situation in Rivers State to continue without intervention.
The Ad-Hoc Committee of the House of Representatives on Rivers State had summoned Ibas to Abuja for a “comprehensive interactive session.”
Ibas served as the Chief of Naval Staff from 2015 to 2021. He was born and received his early education in Cross River State, his state of origin.
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