By Joke Kujenya
A CRUCIAL meeting, today, is holding between President Bola Tinubu and Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (Rtd), the newly appointed Sole Administrator of Rivers State, at the State House in Abuja.
The high-level discussion comes just hours after Tinubu declared a state of emergency in the oil-rich state, citing prolonged political instability and security concerns.
Vice Admiral Ibas, a former Chief of Naval Staff, arrived at the Presidential Villa at 12:50pm local time.
His appointment as Sole Administrator follows Tinubu’s sweeping decision to suspend Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu, and all elected members of the state’s House of Assembly for an initial period of six months.
The unprecedented move, announced in a national broadcast on Tuesday evening, is aimed at restoring order in a state gripped by a bitter power struggle.
President Tinubu’s declaration of emergency measures in Rivers State follows escalating tensions between Governor Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, who now serves as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.
The power tussle had effectively paralysed governance in the state, prompting Tinubu to invoke Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.
“In the circumstance, having soberly reflected on and evaluated the political situation in Rivers State, the governor and deputy governor have failed to make a request to me as President to issue this proclamation as required by Section 305(5) of the 1999 Constitution,” Tinubu stated in his broadcast.
“It has become inevitably compelling for me to declare a state of emergency in Rivers State with effect from today, March 18, 2025, and I so do.”
The suspension of the state’s elected officials does not extend to the judicial arm, which will continue to function under its constitutional mandate.
Tinubu further clarified that Vice Admiral Ibas’ role as Sole Administrator is restricted to governance oversight, with no authority to enact new laws.
The ongoing meeting at the State House is expected to define the immediate roadmap for governance in Rivers State under Ibas’ administration.
While details of the discussion remain undisclosed, analysts believe the meeting will address security, administration, and strategies for stabilising the state amid mounting political tensions.
Ibas, who served as Chief of Naval Staff from 2015 to 2021 under former President Muhammadu Buhari, is expected to leverage his experience in security and leadership to navigate the crisis.
The federal government has emphasised that the emergency measures are temporary and aimed at ensuring that Rivers State returns to constitutional order without further disruption.
