Ijaw Group Condemns Suspension Of Rivers Political Appointees By Ibok-Ete Ibas

The Secretary-General of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide, Maobuoye Nangi-Obu, has criticized the suspension of political appointees and statutory commission members in Rivers State by the state’s Administrator, Retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas.

Nangi-Obu condemned the decision, calling it a display of “military dictatorship” and an alleged attempt to enable unchecked mismanagement of state resources.

In a statement on Wednesday, he accused the Administrator of carrying out a deliberate plan to dismantle democratic governance in Rivers State.

He claimed that the suspension of key officials—including the Secretary to the State Government, the Chief of Staff, Commissioners, Board Members, and Special Advisers—was politically motivated to maintain control over the state.

He further argued that the move, carried out under the guise of presidential authority, was a strategic effort to eliminate oversight and allow the unchecked exploitation of state resources.

“The latest announcement by the Rivers State Administrator, Vice Admiral (Rtd) Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, suspending statutory commissions and boards with clear tenures in Rivers State is an affront on the rights of Rivers people and nothing short of a full-blown military dictatorship in action.

“This reckless move, executed under the guise of presidential authority, is a desperate attempt to remove all possible checks and balances to facilitate the looting of Rivers State’s resources,” Obu stated.

Warning of potential political unrest, Nangi-Obu stressed that sidelining legitimate government officials could lead to instability and public discontent.

“The people of Rivers State will not be deceived—this is not about governance; it is about consolidating power to continue the reckless looting of the state’s treasury,” he said.

He urged Rivers residents to resist what he described as an abuse of power and called for an immediate reversal of the suspension.

“We demand an immediate reversal of this illegal suspension and a return to democratic governance. Rivers State must not be turned into the personal estate of a single individual and his cronies,” he concluded.

KanyiDaily recalls that Ibok-Ete Ibas was appointed Sole Administrator on March 19 after President Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State.