This latest development comes amid growing tensions following President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of emergency rule in Rivers State and the controversial removal of Governor Siminalayi Fubara from office.
The Rivers State sole administrator, Vice Admiral (retd.) Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, will be visiting the State Secretariat on Monday, March 24, 2025.
This was confirmed by a government circular issued by the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of Rivers State, obtained by SaharaReporters, which ordered all civil servants to be on duty for the visit and present their Nominal Roll for inspection.
“I hereby write to inform you that His Excellency, Vice Admiral (Rtd), Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, Administrator, Rivers State, will be visiting the State Secretariat on Monday 24th March, 2025,” the circular, signed by Dr. George C. Nwaeke, Head of the Civil Service, reads.
It added: “In light of the above, you are requested to inform ALL your staff to be on duty on the said date. Also make available copies of your Nominal Roll for sighting. Please ensure strict compliance.”
This latest development comes amid growing tensions following President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of emergency rule in Rivers State and the controversial removal of Governor Siminalayi Fubara from office.
Ibas, who was appointed just days ago, wasted no time asserting federal control over the oil-rich state.
SaharaReporters had earlier reported that the sole administrator arrived in Port Harcourt on Thursday and held a closed-door meeting with senior security officials, a federal government delegation, and key state government operatives.
The Nigerian Senate and House of Representatives had already endorsed Tinubu’s declaration, but opposition figures continue to decry what they describe as an unconstitutional takeover of a democratically elected government.
The Nigerian Senate also approved the creation of a Joint Ad Hoc Committee to oversee the administration of Rivers State after President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency.
The resolution came after a closed-door session on Thursday, where lawmakers debated the next steps in the ongoing political crisis.
While reading the Senate’s resolutions, Senate President Godswill Akpabio stated: “The Senate mandates the President to review or terminate the state of emergency at any given time but not later than six months.”
He further announced the decision to invoke Section 11, Subsection 4 of the Nigerian Constitution, granting the National Assembly the authority to set up an oversight body for the governance of Rivers State.
“The Senate further resolved that Section 11, Subsection 4 be invoked, providing the National Assembly the authority to set up a Joint Ad Hoc Committee of both chambers to oversee the administration of Rivers State henceforth.”
In a move to address the deep-seated tensions fueling the crisis, Akpabio also revealed that the Senate had agreed to establish a reconciliation panel comprising respected figures.
“The Senate further resolved that a committee of eminent Nigerians be set up to reconcile the warring groups within the government of Rivers State within the period of the state of emergency in Rivers State,” he said.
“The Senate further resolved that the committee should consist of eminent Nigerians.”
SAHARA REPORTERS
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