President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has sworn in Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas as the sole administrator of Rivers State, following the declaration of a state of emergency to address the ongoing political crisis.
The swearing-in ceremony took place at the State House on Wednesday, witnessed by key government officials.
The state of emergency, declared on March 18, was prompted by escalating political tension and security challenges between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the Rivers State House of Assembly, despite a Supreme Court ruling.
Vice Admiral Ibas, a seasoned naval officer and former Chief of Naval Staff, brings decades of experience to the role. He also served as the Nigerian High Commissioner to Ghana from 2021 to 2023 after retiring from the Navy.
Special Adviser to the President (Information & Strategy), Bayo Onanuga, confirmed the development in a statement released on March 19, 2025.
