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The political landscape of Rivers State has witnessed another major shakeup as the Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), imposed by President Bola Tinubu, suspended all political officeholders in the state.
In a statement released on Wednesday by the Chief of Staff to the Sole Administrator, the directive affected the Secretary to the State Government, the Chief of Staff, all commissioners, chairmen, and members of boards, agencies, commissions, institutions, and parastatals. Additionally, all special advisers, special assistants, and senior special assistants were ordered to vacate their offices immediately.
The affected officials were instructed to hand over their responsibilities to the highest-ranking civil servants in their respective ministries, departments, and agencies. Where no permanent secretary is available, the most senior director or head of administration is to assume leadership.
The latest move comes amid heightened federal oversight of Rivers State, following an earlier directive requiring all 23 local government councils to submit detailed reports on their activities, staffing, and revenue sources.
That directive, contained in a leaked memo from the Permanent Secretary of the Rivers State Ministry of Local Government Affairs, Dame Dr. Itong Awani, mandated all Heads of Local Government Administration (HLGAs) to submit reports by March 26, 2025.
The intensified federal intervention follows a long-running political crisis between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike. Their battle for control of the state’s political and financial structures escalated last year, leading to an unsuccessful attempt by lawmakers loyal to Wike to remove Fubara from office.
Despite a peace deal brokered by President Tinubu in late 2023, tensions remained unresolved. A few weeks ago, the federal government declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, citing security concerns and effectively sidelining Governor Fubara. This led to the appointment of Ibas as Sole Administrator, further consolidating federal control over the oil-rich state.
Analysts suggest that beyond political restructuring, the latest actions may be part of a broader strategy to secure federal dominance over Rivers State’s vast economic resources.
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