By Kolawole Ojebisi
The Rivers Emancipation Movement (REM) has rejected the appointments of administrators in the 23LGAs in Rivers State by its Sole Administrator, Vice-Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas.(Retd.)
The National President of the group, Solomon Tamunotonye, alleged that the appointees are loyalists of the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, saying this would further deepen the political crisis in the state.
He stated, “The REM strongly and unequivocally rejects the appointment of sole administrators to oversee the affairs of the local governments in Rivers State.
“This decision is a brazen violation of the Nigerian constitution and stands in direct contradiction to the Supreme Court ruling on the sanctity of democratic governance at the grassroots.
“This appointment is largely populated by known allies of former governor Nyesom Wike, clearly exposing the sole administrator’s lack of neutrality and further deepening the political crisis in the state.
“By effectively handing over the LGAs to Wike’s loyalists, the sole administrator has demonstrated an unacceptable level of partisanship and disregard for democratic principles.”
Recall that Ibas (retd.) on Wednesday morning appointed administrators to replace the caretakers initially calling the shots in the 23LGAs of the oil-producing state.
He also sacked the head of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission. Justice Adolphus Enebeli (retd.), replacing him with Dr Michael Odey.
Odey is expected to work with six members, four of whom are professors.
This came less than 24 hours after a Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt ordered Ibas to appear before it to justify why the court should not grant a motion seeking to stop him from appointing administrators for the 23 LGAs.
Justice Adamu Muhammed issued the order on Tuesday in suit no. FHC/PH/CS/46/2025, filed by PILEX Centre for Civic Education Initiative, led by Courage Msirimovu, against the Sole Administrator.
Ibas’s decision was contained in a special government announcement issued on Wednesday by the Secretary to the Rivers State Government, Prof. Ibibia Worika.
The statement read, “His Excellency, the Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral (retd.) Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas CFR, has approved the appointments of Administrators for the 23 local government areas of Rivers State.
“He has also approved the reconstitution of some boards of agencies, commissions, and parastatals, earlier suspended. All appointments take effect from Monday, the 7th of April 2025.”
Last week, the sole administrator suspended all heads of ministries, departments and agencies in the state.
