By Parrot Newspaper 
Tinubu Swears in Ibas as Rivers Sole Administrator
President Bola Tinubu has officially sworn in Vice Admiral Ibok-Étè Ibas (retd.) as the sole administrator of Rivers State following the declaration of a state of emergency in the state. The swearing-in ceremony took place at the State House in Abuja at approximately 3:00 p.m. on March 19, 2025.
Present at the event were Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila, Attorney General of the Federation Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), and Principal Secretary to the President Hakeem Muri-Okunola.
Emergency Rule in Rivers
On Tuesday night, Tinubu announced a state of emergency in Rivers State, suspending Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and all elected members of the Rivers State House of Assembly for an initial period of six months. He cited political instability, constitutional violations, and security concerns as reasons for the move.
In his national address, Tinubu stated, “Having soberly reflected on and evaluated the political situation in Rivers State, it has become inevitably compelling for me to invoke the provision of Section 305 of the Constitution to declare a state of emergency in Rivers State with effect from today, March 18, 2025.”
Ibas Takes Over
With the state government suspended, Vice Admiral Ibas, a former Chief of Naval Staff (2015-2021), has been appointed to oversee the administration of Rivers State. Tinubu assured that the judiciary would remain operational while the executive and legislative branches remain under suspension.
Political Reactions
The emergency declaration has sparked mixed reactions. Some political observers see it as a necessary intervention to restore order, while opposition parties have condemned it as an unconstitutional overreach. The Senate has postponed deliberations on the matter, with lawmakers divided over the implications of suspending elected officials.
As Rivers State enters this new phase of governance, the focus will be on how Ibas navigates the political tensions and whether the emergency rule will bring stability or escalate the crisis further.