By Tony John, Port Harcourt
A Federal High Court in Port Harcourt has blocked Rivers Sole Administrator Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd) from appointing administrators for the state’s 23 local government areas (LGAs). Justice Adamu Turaki Muhammed issued the order on 8 April 2025 in Suit No. FHC/PH/CS/46/2025.
The ruling followed a case filed by PILEX Centre for Civic Education Initiative, led by Courage Nsirimovu. On 28 March 2025, they sought an interim injunction to stop Ibas or his agents from naming sole administrators. Justice Muhammed found merit in their pleas and set 14 April 2025 for a full hearing.
This comes amid a political clash between suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara and 27 lawmakers loyal to ex-Governor Nyesom Wike. The feud has spilled into LGA control. Elected council chairmen, aligned with Wike, ended their terms in June 2023 but secured an extension from the pro-Wike lawmakers. Fubara dissolved them and named caretaker chairmen instead.
Tensions rose as both sides vied for power. The Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) scheduled an election for 5 October 2024, despite a lawsuit from the Wike-backed All Progressives Congress (APC) faction, led by Tony Okocha. The election proceeded, but the Supreme Court ruled in favour of Okocha’s APC on 28 February 2025, nullifying the elected chairmen. Fubara then directed LGA heads to take over temporarily.
The Okocha-led APC and Martin Amaewhule’s House of Assembly opposed this, calling for the arrest of RSIEC’s chairman by the Department of State Services (DSS). Amid the deadlock, a State of Emergency was declared, and Vice Admiral Ibas was appointed Sole Administrator. Fubara’s camp argued this move breached the constitution, suspecting Ibas planned to appoint Wike allies as administrators.
PILEX Centre’s court action suggests those slated for the roles lean towards Wike. His camp praised President Bola Tinubu for the emergency rule and Ibas’ appointment.