BREAKING: Tinubu suspends Rivers Governor, appoints Vice Admiral Ibas (Rtd.) as Interim Administrator

Kunle Sanni

President Bola Tinubu has suspended Rivers State 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.

The announcement was made during a live nationwide broadcast on Tuesday, where the President cited the need to act in the interest of the people of Rivers State.

“In the interim, Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (Rtd.) has been appointed as Administrator to oversee the state’s affairs, Tinubu announced.

Tinubu clarified that this directive does not affect the judicial arm of government, which will continue to function as mandated by the Constitution.

The President also stated that the Administrator will not have the power to make new laws but may introduce regulations, subject to approval by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) and subsequent promulgation by the President.

The decision comes amid ongoing political tensions in Rivers State, with further details expected in the coming days.

The explosion occurred near the Bodo-Bonny Road, which is under construction, affecting the country’s major liquid hydrocarbon delivery channel that can transport about 180,000 barrels of crude per day to the Bonny Export Terminal.