Rivers: Ibas appoints LGA administrators despite court restraint

Controversy has erupted in Rivers State as the Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), has approved the appointment of administrators for the 23 Local Government Areas of the state—less than 24 hours after a Federal High Court ruling reportedly restrained him from doing so.

The court order, issued by Justice Adam Muhammed on Tuesday, came in response to a suit (No. FHC/PH/CS/46/2025) filed by the PILEX Centre for Civic Education Initiative, led by Courage Msirimovu.

The case challenged Ibas’ authority to appoint LGA administrators, citing potential overreach and legal concerns regarding due process.

Despite the court’s decision, the Rivers State Government pressed forward. In a Special Government Announcement released early Wednesday morning by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Ibibia Worika, Ibas not only approved the appointments but also gave the green light for the reconstitution of boards of various agencies, commissions, and parastatals previously suspended.

Though the names of the new appointees were not listed, the statement said the appointments takes immediate effect.

It reads, “His Excellency The Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral (Rtd) Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas CFR, has approved the appointments of administrators for the 23 Local Government Areas of Rivers State.

“He has also approved the reconstitution of some boards of agencies, commissions, and parastatals, earlier suspended.

“All appointments take effect from Monday, the 7th of April 2025.”

Recall that last week, the sole administrator had suspended all heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies in the state with immediate effect.

In a seperate development, Ibas also cancelled all pending procurement and tender processes carried out by Ministries, Departments and Agencies in the state.

He said the cancellation became necessary following the Supreme Court judgment and the absence of an appropriation law within the period.

The sole administrator according to a previous statement also issued by the SSG, directed all MDAs that carried out such tender processes for projects in their respective offices to refund such fees to the respective contractors immediately.