Rivers State’s Sole Administrator, retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, has gone ahead to appoint administrators for the 23 local government areas of the state, despite a recent court ruling prohibiting such action.
This move comes just hours after a Federal High Court in Port Harcourt issued a restraining order against Ibas, barring him from making any such appointments. The order was part of a case filed by the PILEX Centre for Civic Education Initiative, led by activist Courage Msirimovu, under suit number FHC/PH/CS/46/2025.
Disregarding the court’s directive, Ibas also reconstituted the boards of certain government agencies, commissions, and parastatals that were previously dissolved under his leadership.
The announcement was made public through a statement released early Wednesday by the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Ibibia Worika. While the names of the appointed local government administrators were not disclosed, the statement confirmed that their roles would take effect from Monday, April 7, 2025.
The statement read:
“His Excellency, the Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral (Rtd) Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, CFR, has approved the appointment of administrators for the 23 Local Government Areas of Rivers State. He has also approved the reconstitution of selected boards of agencies, commissions, and parastatals previously suspended. All appointments take effect from Monday, April 7, 2025.”
