President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday received Vice Admiral Ibok-Étè Ibas, the sole administrator of Rivers State, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. The meeting comes barely 24 hours after Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, citing prolonged political instability, constitutional breaches, and security threats.
The crisis in Rivers State stems from a power struggle between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, now the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory. The situation had paralyzed governance in the oil-rich state, prompting Tinubu to take the extraordinary measure.
In a national broadcast on Tuesday, Tinubu announced the suspension of Governor Fubara, his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and all elected members of the Rivers State House of Assembly for an initial period of six months. He also appointed Ibas as the sole administrator to oversee the state’s affairs until normalcy is restored.
Ibas, a retired Vice Admiral, served as Chief of Naval Staff from 2015 to 2021 under former President Muhammadu Buhari. His appointment as sole administrator of Rivers State has been seen as a move to restore stability and security in the state.
The declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State has significant implications for the state’s governance and economy. The suspension of the governor, deputy governor, and state lawmakers has raised concerns about the potential for abuse of power and the undermining of democratic institutions.
The declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State has elicited mixed reactions from stakeholders. While some have welcomed the move as a necessary step to restore stability and security, others have criticized it as an attack on democracy and the rule of law.
In conclusion, the meeting between President Tinubu and Vice Admiral Ibas, the sole administrator of Rivers State, is a significant development in the ongoing crisis in the state. As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how the state of emergency will impact the state’s governance and economy.