Falana Urges Tinubu To Remove Ibas For Breach Of Presidential Order
Human rights attorney Femi Falana (SAN) has urged President Bola Tinubu to dismiss Vice Admiral Ibok-ete Ibas (rtd.), the Sole Administrator for Rivers State, due to a violation of a presidential directive.
On Thursday, the senior advocate contended that the retired naval officer breached the stipulations outlined in the Official Gazette dated March 18, 2025, titled ‘State of Emergency (Rivers State) Proclamation, 2025.’
Falana emphasized that the gazette explicitly states that the sole administrator “shall operate based on such Regulations that may, from time to time, be issued by me (Tinubu).”
“It is widely recognized that President Bola Tinubu has not issued any Regulations governing the operations of the Sole Administrator. Nevertheless, the Sole Administrator has proceeded to make appointments and dismiss officials previously appointed by Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
“By disregarding the orders of President Bola Tinubu, the Sole Administrator has further exacerbated the illegality of his appointment. Therefore, he should be removed without delay,” Falana asserted.
President Bola Tinubu officially appointed Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (rtd) as the sole administrator for Rivers State in Abuja on March 19, 2025. This appointment followed Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, during which he suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu, and the members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
Tinubu based his decision on Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution, stating that he could not stand by as the political situation in Rivers deteriorated without intervening.
The Ad-Hoc Committee of the House of Representatives on Rivers State has summoned Ibas for a “comprehensive interactive session” in Abuja.
Ibas served as the Chief of Naval Staff from 2015 to 2021 and hails from Cross River, where he completed his early education.
