Following the political tensions in Rivers state that led to the declaration of State of Emergency and the appointment of Vice Admiral (Rtd) Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas as sole Administrator of the state, he has gone ahead to appoint Administrators for the 23 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in the state.
This was contained in a Special Government Announcement issued on Wednesday by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Ibibia Worika, who noted that the appointments take effect from Monday, April 7, 2025.
In what happened to be a twist, a Federal High Court in Port Harcourt barred theSole Administrator from appointing Administrators for the councils. On March 28, PILEX Centre for Civic Education Initiative led by Courage Msirimovu had in Suit No. FHC/PH/CS/46/2025 asked the court to restrain the sole Administrator from appointing sole administrators to oversee the LGAs of which Justice Adamu Turaki Mohammed issued an interim injunction and has fixed April 14 for a substantive hearing.
Ibas has shun this order and has also appointed also appointed a new chairman and members of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC).
The SSG’s announcement read: “His Excellency The Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral (rtd) 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.”
The administrators for the 23 Local Government Areas of Rivers State include:
1. Mr Okroiyobi Animiete – Abua/Odual LGA
2. Mr Goodluck M. Ihenacho – Ahoada East LGA
3. Mr Promise Jacob – Ahoada West LGA
4. Dr Tamunotonye Peters – Akuku Toru LGA
5. Surveyor Atajit Francis – Andoni LGA
6. Barrister Ibiapuve Charles – Asari Toru LGA
7. Mr Kingsley N. Banigo – Bonny LGA
8. Dr Sokari Ibifuro Francis – Degema LGA
9. Dr Gloria Obo Dibiah – Eleme LGA
10. Barr Franklin P. Ajinwon – Emohua LGA
11. Dr Onyemachi S. Nwankwor – Etche LGA
12. Prof. Gospel G. Kpee – Gokana LGA
13. Mr Isaiah Christian Nobuawu – Ikwerre LGA
14. Dr Barinedum Nwibere – Khana LGA
15. Dr Clifford Ndu Walter – Obio Akpor LGA
16. Dr Chukwuma Aje – Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA
17. Eliel Owubokiri – Ogu/Bolo LGA
18. Mr Thompson Isodiki – Okrika LGA
19. Manager Ikechi Wala – Omuma LGA
20. Mr Fred Apiafi – Opobo/Nkoro LGA
21. Eletuuo Ihianacho – Oyigbo LGA
22. Dr Sam Kalagbor – Port Harcourt LGA
23. Mr Nuka O. S. Gbipah – Tai LGA
The following have also been appointed as chairman and members of the Rivers State Electoral Commission:
1. Dr Micheal Ekpai Odey – Chairman
2. Mr Lezaasi Lenee Torbira – Member
3. Prof Author Nwafor – Member
4. Prof Godfrey Woke Mbgudiogha – Member
5. Prof Joyce Akaninwor – Member
6. Dr Olive A. Bruce – Member
7. .Prof Chidi Halliday – Member
Recall that since President Bola Tinubu suspended Governor Fubara, there has been several concerns to why a democratic elected governor would be suspended an the state handed over to a Sole Administrator. See reactions over the latest appointment.
