, has faced criticism for his actions in retrieving three official vehicles from the suspended Deputy){kind=link}
Rivers State’s sole administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd), has faced criticism for his actions in retrieving three official vehicles from the suspended Deputy Governor of the state, Prof. Ngozi Nma Odu.
On the other hand, the Rivers State Government has declared that the primary objective of the vehicle retrieval was to safeguard government property.Â
“The Rivers State Government has noted with dismay the deliberate misrepresentation of the lawful retrieval of two Toyota Hilux vehicles and one Hiace bus from the premises of the suspended Deputy Governor.
“This routine administrative action, aimed at securing government property, has been twisted by political opportunists seeking to create unnecessary tension. We question the motives of those politicising this matter: What legitimate purpose did these vehicles serve in the suspended Deputy Governor’s premises over one month after the declaration of a state of emergency?
“The Rivers State Government maintains that the recovery of its assets cannot reasonably be construed as executive overreach. This administration remains committed to prudent management of public resources and will not be distracted by baseless allegations.”
In response to this, Democracy Watch Nigeria characterized it as alarming, observing that the military personnel approached the property in a commando manner and confiscated the vehicles.
A statement issued in Port Harcourt by its spokesperson, Elder Vincent Chimene Wopara, stated that the sole administrator instructed the military personnel to execute the action.
It reads, “In a disturbing show of force, the Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd), on Friday, 25 April, ordered naval personnel to storm the official residence of the Deputy Governor of Rivers State and forcibly remove three vehicles.
“The naval officers, acting on the direct instruction of the Sole Administrator, carried out the operation in a commando-style raid, taking away two Toyota Hilux vehicles and one Toyota Hiace bus. The brazen action took place in the early hours of the day and has since sparked widespread condemnation across the state.
“This development marks a new low in the ongoing disregard for due process and democratic norms under the current administration. The action is viewed by many observers as a targeted provocation, intended to intimidate and humiliate the office of the Deputy Governor, which remains a constitutionally recognised institution.
“We call on well-meaning Nigerians, civil society organisations, and the international community to take note of this growing trend of militarisation and impunity in Rivers State. It is imperative that those in positions of authority act within the bounds of the law and uphold the dignity of democratic institutions.”