President Bola Tinubu has sworn in Rivers State’s only administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd), for the next six months. President Tinubu swore Ibas into office at approximately 03:00 PM at the State House in Abuja. The brief ceremony was attended by Femi Gbajabiamila, the President’s Chief of Staff; Lateef Fagbemi, the Attorney General of the Federation; and Bayo Onanuga, the Presidential Spokesperson. On Tuesday, Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State via national broadcast, suspending Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and all elected members of the Rivers State House of Assembly for six months. Ibas served as Chief of Naval Staff from 2015 to 2021 under former President Muhammadu Buhari.Speaking to State House Correspondents, Ibas outlined his immediate priorities for the troubled state.

Addressing the expectations put on him, he acknowledged the difficult circumstances that led to his appointment, saying, “We know what brought us here.” He emphasized the importance of restoring law and order, stating, “For any meaningful activities to take place in Rivers State, maintaining peace, order, security, and stability is the utmost task.” He committed to work with stakeholders to attain these objectives, assuring stability for both the people of Rivers State and Nigeria as whole. “I think for any meaningful activities to take place in Rivers State, that is the most important responsibility that I have—to work together with all other stakeholders to ensure that we bring peace, order, security, and stability to the people and government of Rivers State and Nigeria at large he said.