By Admin
Justice Adamu Tukaki Muhammed of the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt has barred the Rivers State Sole Administrator,Vice Admiral Ibok Ete Ibas from appointing sole administrators to run the 23 local government council areas in the state.
On March 28,2025 , PLEX Centre for Civic Education Initiative led by Courage Msirimovu had filed a suit with the No FHC/ PH/ CS/46/2025 praying the court for reliefs, top of which” is an order of interim induction restraining the Sole Administrator or his agents from appointing the sole administrator or whatever name called for the 23 local government areas”. “They also prayed for any other order deemed necessary in the circumstance.”
Consequently ,the judge stated that he found the prayers by the petitioner valid.to grant and fixed April 14,2025 for hearing.
The Sole Administrator was appointed by President Bola Tinubu after he declared a State of Emergency in Rivers and suspended for six months,the Governor, Siminilayi Fubara, his Deputy and members of the House of Assembly in a nationwide broadcast.
The President had as part of the terms of reference told the administrator not to make new laws but continue with existing ones. Ibas was also told not to execute projects but continue with the ones on ground But,Ibas has cancelled contracts awarded by Governor Siminilayi Fubara and allegedly on a spending spree. He disclosed that he would present a budget, It is not on how and to whom he would present such to.
The administrator is also alleged to have received Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory on Sunday late Sunday into the wee hours of Monday and allegedly collected list of members of his group that would be appointed caretaker committees at the 23 LGAS.. He was also alleged to have collected list of other members loyal to him to be employed in Key parastatals and the civil service.
It was after the midnight visit to the Sole Administrator that Wike travelled to London to fete his disciples- the suspended members of the State House of Assembly, it was alleged
The declaration of the Emergency rule on March 18 has continued to generate reactions from home and abroad with many individuals and groups calling on Mr President to rescind the decision.
A couple of days ago, a Federal lawmaker warned Ibas against stepping out of line so as not to incur the wrath of the National Assembly.
On Monday, A group known as “Take it Back” mobilised to streets in popular Nigerian cities to protest the emergency rule in Rivers and suspension of elected officials.
And, although the National Assembly had said that the suspension of the government officials would be lifted in no time, it is unclear when it will be as events playing out in Government House suggest grand plan to extend Ibas’s rule.
