Rivers State Sole Administrator Defies Court Order with LGA Head Appointment

Rivers State Sole Administrator Defies Court Order with LGA Head Appointments

Tensions in Rivers State escalated as Sole Administrator Ibok-Ete Ibas appointed new heads for the state's 23 local government areas (LGAs) hours after a Federal High Court in Port Harcourt issued a restraining order.

 Despite the court's directive, Ibas proceeded with the appointments, which were announced through a statement by Secretary to the State Government, Ibinia Worika, and took effect on April 7.

 The statement also confirmed the reconstitution of several boards and commissions previously dissolved.

Some of the newly appointed LGA administrators include Okroiyobi Animiete, Goodluck Iheanacho, Promise Jacob, Tamunotonye Peters, and Gloria Obo-Dibiah. This move adds to the growing political crisis in the state, following a state of emergency declared by President Bola Tinubu on March 18, which was prompted by ongoing instability and vandalism of oil facilities. As part of the emergency measures, Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and all state assembly members were suspended for six months.