The Sole Administrator of Rivers State, retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, has approved the appointment of Administrators for the 23 Local Government Areas (LGAs) across the state. This decisive action was taken despite an ongoing legal challenge seeking to halt the appointments.
The appointments, announced in a statement by the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Ibibia Worika, are to take effect from Monday, 7 April 2025. Alongside the LGA appointments, Ibas also reconstituted boards of several suspended agencies, commissions, and parastatals.
This political move comes just hours after a Federal High Court in Port Harcourt fixed 14 April 2025 to hear a suit filed by human rights lawyer Courage Nsirimovu of the Pilex Centre for Civic Education Initiative. Nsirimovu is seeking to stop the installation of the LGA Administrators, arguing it undermines legal procedures.
Justice Adamu Mohammed, who is presiding over the case, did not issue a restraining order but instead directed that the Rivers State Sole Administrator be served notice. He ordered that Ibas appear in court to justify the appointments and explain why the court should not grant the request to suspend them.
“I am of the view that it will serve the interest of justice to order the application to put the respondent on notice to appear and show cause why the application (to stop the appointment of administrators in the 23 LGAs) should not be granted,” the judge stated.
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Despite the unresolved legal battle the appointments have proceeded. The list of newly appointed LGA administrators includes:
- Mr Okroiyobi Animiete – Abua/Odual
- Mr Goodluck M. Ihenacho – Ahoada East
- Mr Promise Jacob – Ahoada West
- Dr Tamunotonye Peters – Akuku Toru
- Surveyor Atajit Francis – Andoni
- Barrister Ibiapuve Charles – Asari Toru
- Mr Kingsley N. Banigo – Bonny
- Dr Sokari Ibifuro Francis – Degema
- Dr Gloria Obo Dibiah – Eleme
- Barr Franklin P. Ajinwon – Emohua
- Dr Onyemachi S. Nwankwor – Etche
- Prof. Gospel G. Kpee – Gokana
- Mr Isaiah Christian Nobuawu – Ikwerre
- Dr Barinedum Nwibere – Khana
- Dr Clifford Ndu Walter – Obio Akpor
- Dr Chukwuma Aje – Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni
- Mr Eliel Owubokiri – Ogu/Bolo
- Mr Thompson Isodiki – Okrika
- Manager Ikechi Wala – Omuma
- Mr Fred Apiafi – Opobo/Nkoro
- Mr Eletuuo Ihianacho – Oyigbo
- Dr Sam Kalagbor – Port Harcourt
- Mr Nuka O. S. Gbipah – Tai
In addition, the Sole Administrator also appointed the new chairman and members of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission, following a Supreme Court judgment which nullified the October 5, 2024 local government elections:
- Dr Michael Ekpai Odey – Chairman
- Mr Lezaasi Lenee Torbira – Member
- Prof Arthur Nwafor – Member
- Prof Godfrey Woke Mbgudiogha – Member
- Prof Joyce Akaninwor – Member
- Dr Olive A. Bruce – Member
- Prof Chidi Halliday – Member
The developments have sparked heated political reactions across the state, with many closely watching the upcoming court proceedings. Analysts believe the outcome of the suit may have far-reaching implications on the legitimacy of the newly installed administrators.
