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, accusing him of breaching a presidential order.
Falana made the statement on Thursday, April 17, asserting that Ibas had violated the provisions of the Official Gazette dated March 18, 2025, titled, ‘State of Emergency (Rivers State) Proclamation, 2025.’
According to Falana, the gazette clearly stated that the Sole Administrator was to operate under regulations issued by President Tinubu, but no such regulations have been issued. Falana emphasized that despite this, Ibas has gone ahead to make appointments and remove officials appointed by the suspended Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara.
Falana criticized Ibas for disregarding the orders of President Tinubu, calling his actions a “contempt” of the presidential directives. He further argued that Ibas’s actions had compounded the illegality of his appointment, and that he should be removed immediately.
Ibas, a retired naval officer, was appointed as the Sole Administrator of Rivers State by President Tinubu on March 18, 2025, following the declaration of a state of emergency in the state. This came with the suspension of Governor Fubara, Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu, and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly. Tinubu cited Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution, expressing concern over the escalating political situation in the state.
The House of Representatives’ Ad-Hoc Committee on Rivers State had previously summoned Ibas for a comprehensive interactive session in Abuja. Ibas, who served as the Chief of Naval Staff from 2015 to 2021, hails from Cross River State and received his early education there.