Tinubu Confers With Ex-Rivers Sole Administrator Ibas at Aso Rock

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Wednesday received retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, the former Sole Administrator of Rivers State, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, for a closed-door meeting.

Ibas, who once served as Nigeria’s Chief of Naval Staff and later as High Commissioner to Ghana, was appointed by President Tinubu in March 2025 to oversee Rivers State after the declaration of a state of emergency in the oil-rich state.

The emergency order had temporarily suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and the State House of Assembly, with Ibas tasked to manage affairs during the six-month period.

Although details of the Aso Rock meeting were not disclosed, it is believed to have centered on the political and security situation in Rivers following months of turbulence. The state had been engulfed in a bitter power struggle, prompting Tinubu to invoke emergency powers to “restore peace and stability.”

Ibas’s appointment drew mixed reactions at the time. Supporters argued it was necessary to prevent a breakdown of law and order, while critics questioned the constitutionality of suspending elected officials and handing governance to a sole administrator. Several opposition leaders and civil society groups have since taken the matter to the Supreme Court, seeking clarity on the president’s powers under such circumstances.

By meeting with Ibas at the Villa, President Tinubu is seen to be reinforcing the federal government’s oversight of Rivers and evaluating the effectiveness of the emergency administration.

Analysts note that the discussions could also pave the way for decisions on the state’s political future once the emergency period lapses.

Vice Admiral Ibas, who handed over at the end of his tenure as Sole Administrator, remains a key figure in the unfolding Rivers crisis as both the federal government and stakeholders weigh next steps in resolving the state’s prolonged political impasse.