Retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, the Sole Administrator of Rivers State, has ordered the immediate suspension of all political office holders and appointees in the state.
The directive was announced in an official statement by the Administrator's Chief of Staff on Wednesday, citing the executive powers granted by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Affected Officials Include:
Secretary to the State Government
Chief of Staff to the Governor
All Commissioners
Board Chairmen and Members
Special Assistants
Handover Protocol:
Suspended officials are required to:
- Transfer responsibilities to Permanent Secretaries in their ministries
- Where no Permanent Secretary exists, hand over to the most senior director/administrative head
The statement emphasized: "This suspension takes effect from Wednesday, 26 March 2025," marking a sweeping administrative change in the oil-rich state.
The move comes amid ongoing political tensions in Rivers State following the recent suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara's administration and declaration of a state of emergency by Tinubu on March 18, 2025. declaration of emergency rule in Rivers State.