Rivers Sole Administrator, Ibot-Ete Ibas Resumes Duty, Holds Security Meeting

Vice Admiral Ibot-Ete Ibas, the newly appointed Sole Administrator of Rivers State, has assumed office.

Ibot-Ete Ibas arrived at the Government House in Port Harcourt on Thursday afternoon after a formal welcome at the airport, led by Rivers State Head of Service, George Nwaeke.

A team of top security officials, including the General Officer Commanding the 6 Division of the Nigerian Army, the Commander of Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Pathfinder, and the Commander of the 115 Special Operations Group of the Nigerian Air Force, accompanied him.

Other key figures present included the Commissioner of Police, the Director of the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Director of Energy Security from the Office of the National Security Adviser.

Upon his arrival, Ibas proceeded to the State Executive Council Chambers, where he met with Permanent Secretaries before holding a closed-door session with top security personnel, including the Commissioner of Police, the DSS Director, the Head of Service, and other government officials.

Addressing journalists after the meeting, Ibas stated that discussions with security agencies were still ongoing.

While he refrained from making detailed comments, he assured the public that Rivers State remains calm and that efforts would be made to restore complete normalcy.

Ibas stepped into the role just two days after President Bola Tinubu appointed him to oversee the state’s administration for six months.

His appointment follows the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly due to prolonged political tensions in the state.

Before assuming office, Ibas met with President Tinubu on Wednesday and was sworn in at the State House in Abuja.

Meanwhile, the Senate has approved President Bola Tinubu’s decision to suspend Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara for six months.