Port Harcourt – The Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Mr. Emmanuel Ibas, has made his first major appointments since assuming office, even as the state's Head of Service, Mr. Rufus Godwins, resigned abruptly on Tuesday.
Ibas named Mr. Samuel Eke as the new Secretary to the State Government (SSG) and Mrs. Grace Ogbonda as the acting Head of Service. The appointments come amid ongoing political tensions in the state following the declaration of emergency rule.
Sources say Godwins' resignation letter cited "personal reasons," but insiders suggest it may be connected to the administrator's restructuring plans. The resigning HoS had served for just eight months.
Political analysts view these moves as Ibas' first steps to consolidate control over the state bureaucracy. Meanwhile, civil servants await further directives as the new leadership takes charge.
The administrator's office confirmed all appointments follow due process, but opposition groups have criticized the changes as "unconstitutional."