Rivers State Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), has sanctioned the appointment of administrators for the state’s 23 Local Government Areas.
This decision comes less than 24 hours after a Federal High Court in Port Harcourt reportedly issued a restraint against him from appointing individuals to manage the affairs of the local government councils.
The order was delivered by Justice Adam Muhammed on Tuesday in case no. FHC/PH/CS/46/2025, which was filed by PILEX Centre for Civic Education Initiative, led by Courage Msirimovu, against the Sole Administrator in his official role.
In addition, Ibas has also approved the reconstitution of various boards for agencies, commissions, and parastatals that he had previously suspended.
This approval was announced in a Special Government Announcement released on Wednesday morning by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Ibibia Worika.
While the names of the newly appointed individuals were not disclosed, the statement indicated that the appointments would take effect immediately.
It reads, “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.”
Recall that last week, the sole administrator had suspended all heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies in the state with immediate effect.
In a seperate development, Ibas also cancelled all pending procurement and tender processes carried out by Ministries, Departments and Agencies in the state.
He said the cancellation became necessary following the Supreme Court judgment and the absence of an appropriation law within the period.
The sole administrator according to a previous statement also issued by the SSG, directed all MDAs that carried out such tender processes for projects in their respective offices to refund such fees to the respective contractors immediately.