Paragraph 1: Setting the Stage
Rivers State, Nigeria, found itself at a crossroads in April 2025, facing a period of administrative transition following a Supreme Court judgment that impacted the state’s governance structure. Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), serving as the Sole Administrator, was tasked with navigating these complexities. A key aspect of this transition involved the appointment of administrators for the state’s 23 Local Government Areas (LGAs). This process, however, was not without its challenges, encountering legal hurdles almost immediately.
Paragraph 2: The Legal Challenge
Just a day before the appointments were announced, a Federal High Court in Port Harcourt issued an order restraining the Sole Administrator from appointing LGA administrators. Justice Adam Muhammed presided over the case, filed by PILEX Centre for Civic Education Initiative, an organization led by Courage Msirimovu. The suit, numbered FHC/PH/CS/46/2025, challenged the Sole Administrator’s authority to make these appointments. Despite this legal challenge, the Sole Administrator proceeded with the appointments, setting the stage for a potential legal confrontation.
Paragraph 3: The Appointments and Reconstitutions
Undeterred by the court order, Vice Admiral Ibas announced the appointment of administrators for all 23 LGAs in Rivers State. This decision was communicated through a Special Government Announcement issued by the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Ibibia Worika. The announcement also included the reconstitution of several boards of agencies, commissions, and parastatals, which had been previously suspended. The appointments were effective immediately, starting on Monday, April 7, 2025. The list of appointed administrators included Mr. Okroiyobi Animete for Abua/Odual LGA, Mr. Goodluck M Iheanacho for Ahoada East LGA, and Mr. Promise Jacob for Ahoada West LGA, among others.
Paragraph 4: Sweeping Changes in Governance
The appointment of LGA administrators followed another significant administrative shake-up the previous week. The Sole Administrator had suspended all heads of Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) in the state, also with immediate effect. This sweeping change signaled a comprehensive restructuring of the state’s administrative apparatus. The rationale behind these suspensions was not explicitly stated but likely related to the ongoing legal and administrative transitions occurring in the state.
Paragraph 5: Cancellation of Procurement Processes
Further complicating matters, the Sole Administrator cancelled all pending procurement and tender processes initiated by the MDAs. He attributed this decision to the Supreme Court judgment and the absence of an appropriation law during the period in question. This cancellation had significant implications for contractors and businesses engaged in projects with the state government. The Sole Administrator directed all MDAs involved in these cancelled processes to refund any fees collected from contractors immediately, adding another layer of administrative complexity.
Paragraph 6: Navigating Uncertainty
The actions taken by the Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibas, represented a bold attempt to stabilize and restructure the Rivers State government in the wake of a significant Supreme Court judgment. However, his decisions, particularly the appointment of LGA administrators despite a court order restraining him from doing so, created an environment of legal uncertainty. The immediate impact of these changes on the governance and administration of Rivers State remained to be seen, with the potential for further legal challenges and administrative adjustments looming. The stage was set for a period of transition and potential conflict, with the future direction of Rivers State’s governance hanging in the balance.
