President Bola Tinubu announced a state of emergency in Rivers State On March 18, 2025, in response to the ongoing political turmoil in the region.
The declaration was made during a nationwide address on Tuesday, during which Tinubu suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu, and all members of the State House of Assembly for a period of six months.
To oversee the state’s affairs during this period, the president appointed retired Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas as the interim administrator.
Here are some key details about the newly appointed administrator of the oil-rich state:
1. He served as the Chief of Naval Staff from 2015 to 2021.
2. Born in Cross River State, where he hails from, he completed his early education there.
3. He enrolled at the Nigerian Defence Academy in 1979 and went on to build a distinguished career in the Navy, climbing the ranks to reach the highest position.
4. He is a member of both the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) and the Nigerian Institute of Management.
5. Appointed as Chief of Naval Staff by President Muhammadu Buhari, he was honored with the national title of Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR) in 2022.
6. He is married and has three children.