By Mary Onyia
Following his swearing-in by President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd) arrived in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on Thursday to officially begin his duties as the Sole Administrator.
Upon his arrival at the Port Harcourt Airport, Ibas was warmly received by top state officials and security personnel and was immediately honored with a guard of honor. In a brief interaction with the press, Ibas expressed his gratitude and promised to address the media after his initial meeting with the head of service and the state’s service commanders.
Accompanied by the State Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, and the Inspector General of Police, Zone 16, Ibas proceeded to the Government House, Port Harcourt. He was escorted around the premises by key officials before heading to the Executive Council Chamber, where he addressed the Government House officials and the service chiefs in attendance.
This move follows President Tinubu’s declaration of a State of Emergency in Rivers State on Tuesday, which resulted in the sacking of Governor Simnilaye Fubara, his deputy, and all members of the State House of Assembly. The president appointed a sole administrator to govern the state for an interim period of six months.
The decision has sparked widespread controversy, with critics, including prominent politicians and legal experts, calling the president’s action “illegal” and “unconstitutional.” Despite the backlash, the National Assembly, comprising both the lower and upper chambers, unanimously ratified the president’s decision on Thursday.
The imposition of the State of Emergency and the removal of elected officials has drawn condemnation from various quarters, with many decrying it as a threat to democracy and an overreach of executive power.