Despite a Federal High Court ruling barring him from appointing sole administrators to manage local government areas in Rivers State, the state’s Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (Rtd), has moved forward with naming officials for all 23 LGAs.
In a statement released at midnight by Secretary to the State Government, Professor Ibibia Worika, it was announced that these appointments take immediate effect. Alongside the local council appointments, Ibas also reconstituted the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), introducing a new chairman and commissioners to oversee the body.
Among those named to lead the councils are Okroiyobi Animiete (Abua/Odual), Goodluck M. Ihenacho (Ahoada East), Promise Jacob (Ahoada West), Tamunotonye Peters (Akuku Toru), Atajit Francis (Andoni), Ibiapuye Charles (Asari Toru), Kingsley N. Banigo (Bonny), Sokari Ibifuro Francis (Degema), Gloria Obo Dibiah (Eleme), and Franklin P. Ajinwon (Emohua).
Other appointees include Onyemachi S. Nwankwor (Etche), Gospel G. Kpee (Gokana), Isaiah Christian Nobuawu (Ikwerre), Barinedum Nwibere (Khana), Clifford Ndu Walter (Obio Akpor), Chukwuma Aje (Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni), Eliel Owubokiri (Ogu/Bolo), Thompson Isodiki (Okrika), Manager Ikechi Wala (Omuma), Fred Apiafi (Opobo/Nkoro), Eletuuo Ihianacho (Oyigbo), Sam Kalagbor (Port Harcourt), and Nuka O. S. Gbipah (Tai).
The revamped RSIEC will now be headed by Dr. Michael Ekpai Odey, with commissioners Lezaasi Lenee Torbira, Professor Author Nwafor, Professor Godfrey Woke Mbgudiogha, Professor Joyce Akaninwor, Dr. Olive A. Bruce, and Professor Chidi Halliday serving on the board.
Additionally, several boards of state agencies and commissions that were previously dissolved have now been reconstituted.
Since taking over as Sole Administrator following the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, Ibas has made a string of controversial decisions. These include removing all appointees installed by suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, halting the operations of various state institutions, and planning to introduce a new 2025 budget.
His actions have sparked widespread criticism from political commentators, economists, and civil society groups, many of whom argue that he is exceeding the boundaries of his constitutional authority and escalating political instability in the state.
