Prominent Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain and former Deputy National Chairman, Chief Olabode George, has issued a stern rebuke to the Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), warning him against what he described as unconstitutional appointments within the state’s governance structure.
In a strongly worded statement on Friday, Bode George expressed dismay over recent moves by Ibas to appoint individuals into sensitive public positions, including overseeing the 23 local government areas and reconstituting key state boards and parastatals — actions he claimed contravene existing court orders and the 1999 Constitution.
Bode George referenced a binding ruling by Justice Adamu Turaki Muhammed of the Federal High Court, Port Harcourt, which explicitly prohibited Ibas from appointing sole administrators to local councils. Despite this legal directive, the retired naval chief allegedly proceeded to make appointments across several agencies, raising eyebrows and triggering backlash from key political stakeholders.
“Your tenure is temporary. You were not elected by the people of Rivers State. You were appointed to act within the confines of the law. Anything outside that is a flagrant abuse of power,” George said.
He emphasized that the role of a Sole Administrator does not include the unilateral restructuring of political and administrative organs of the state, noting that such moves risk plunging Rivers into a constitutional crisis.
In his remarks, George questioned whether the recent actions had received proper legislative oversight or were merely directives carried out in defiance of democratic principles.
“What happens to these appointees after you vacate office on September 18? Do you have the constitutional powers to make decisions that will outlast your tenure?” he queried.
According to him, reconstituting state boards and appointing key figures without the consent of the state legislature or the National Assembly is not only illegal but could also be reversed in the near future.
Bode George reaffirmed that Siminalayi Fubara remains the constitutionally elected Governor of Rivers State and any attempt to usurp his authority through backdoor appointments or administrative overreach will not stand.
“Ibas is not the governor. He is not an acting governor. He has no executive authority to run Rivers State like a military cantonment. This is democracy, not a naval command structure,” George emphasized.
The PDP stalwart also warned that Ibas risks losing the goodwill of those currently enabling his actions, stating that such political alliances are often temporary and self-serving.
“Those using you now will discard you tomorrow. Don’t allow yourself to be used as a pawn in a political chess game that history will judge harshly,” he cautioned.
Appeal to Military Camaraderie and Legacy
As a fellow retired military officer, George appealed to Ibas’ sense of patriotism and personal legacy, urging him to act with integrity and caution.
“You served the nation honorably in the Navy. Don’t let unconstitutional political conduct smear your reputation. You didn’t drown in the waters of military service—don’t drown in the politics of illegality.”
He further urged the Sole Administrator to reverse any unconstitutional appointments made during his tenure and to allow lawful governance to prevail, warning that any attempt to entrench such decisions could face legal challenges.
The state has been embroiled in a political standoff following strained relations between Governor Fubara and key figures within the federal government. The appointment of Ibas as Sole Administrator was seen by some as an attempt to neutralize the governor’s influence, a move that has drawn widespread criticism from civil society and opposition leaders.
Legal experts have also questioned the constitutionality of the Sole Administrator’s role, calling for judicial clarification and legislative oversight to prevent future abuse.
George’s statement comes at a critical time for Rivers State, where political stability remains fragile. As tensions mount, many observers believe that only strict adherence to the rule of law and constitutional order can restore public confidence in governance.