Nigeria’s President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on Tuesday appointed Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas as the Administrator of Rivers State after declaring a state of emergency in the state.
The President made the declaration during his nationwide broadcast on Tuesday, March 18, 2025.
In his address, President Tinubu expressed concern over the ongoing crisis in Rivers State, stating that the situation had not improved despite efforts to restore peace.
To justify his decision, the President invoked Section 305 (5) of the 1999 Constitution, which allows for the declaration of a state of emergency in situations where there is a breakdown of public order and safety.
As part of the measures, Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu, were suspended from office for six months.
He alos suspended members of the state House of Assembly for the same duration.
Who is Ibok-Ete Ibas?
Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, born on September 27, 1960, in Nko, Cross River State, is a distinguished Nigerian naval officer with a career spanning over four decades. He served as the 22nd Chief of Naval Staff (CNS) of the Nigerian Navy from July 13, 2015, to January 29, 2021. He also served as Nigeria’s ambassador to Ghana.Educational background
Ibas commenced his education at Nko Primary School and completed it at Big Qua Primary School in 1971. He attended Hope Waddell Training Institute from 1972 to 1976 and then the School of Basic Studies in Ogoja between 1977 and 1979.
In 1979, he entered the Nigerian Defence Academy as part of the 26 Regular Course, commissioning as a Sub-Lieutenant on January 1, 1983.