Rivers State Crisis: Ann-Kio Briggs Slams FG over Actions, Warns of Looming Civil Unrest
Human and Environmental rights campaigner, Ann-Kio Briggs has strongly criticized the Federal Government’s decision to appoint a sole administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), to Rivers State, alleging he is driven by a “dangerous and unconstitutional agenda.”
During a recent Arise Television interview, Briggs warned that tensions within Rivers State are mounting due to Ibas’s disregard for court orders and blanket reconstitution of state and local government agencies.
Briggs argued that Ibas’s actions are not only unconstitutional but also prejudiced, since he is removing elected local government councillors and replacing them with caretaker administrators, which amounts to advancing the interests of a single political leader.
“He’s not Rivers State-born. How does he know whom to appoint? On what basis is he removing civil servants and replacing them? That’s unconstitutional,” she added.
The activist also alleged that Ibas was operating in blatant political partiality, relieving those who are perceived not to be Wike loyalists and replacing them with Wike loyalists.
“The people that are being fired are not Wike’s. The people that he is appointing are Wike’s. It does not require a brain surgeon to identify that. He’s following a perilous script,” she averred.
Briggs called on President Bola Tinubu to reconsider the reasons for the federal government’s intervention in Rivers State, arguing that there was no insecurity in the state to warrant such an intervention.
“The president has been grossly misinformed—through no fault of his own—but clearly misinformed by those with personal, political, economic, and power interests in Rivers State,” she alleged.
The activist urged the president to consider naming prominent national figures with proven neutrality, such as Bishop Matthew Kukah and General Abdulsalami Abubakar, to any peacebuilding role in Rivers State.
“We would feel more confident if impartial individuals like them were included. Honestly, we don’t want Ibas to be in that role,” she added.
As the crisis deepened, Briggs threatened rising Rivers people’s indignation and possible civil chaos.
“There is serious concern. I say this as a daughter of Rivers State. This type of situation can blow up,” she stated. The activist’s statement comes amid heightened concerns in Rivers State that the crisis is on the brink of spreading into all-out civil chaos unless urgently addressed.
