Defying a wave of public backlash and legal challenges, Rivers State Sole Administrator, retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, on Friday officially swore in twenty-three newly appointed local government administrators.
The ceremony took place at the Government House in Port Harcourt, marking a decisive step by the state leadership amid a deepening political crisis.
The appointments, which have sparked widespread criticism across the state, are seen by many as a consolidation of political influence by allies of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
Videos shared on social media showed celebratory scenes featuring the newly sworn-in officials, with some chanting slogans and pledging loyalty to the administration.
Many of the appointees are believed to be close loyalists of Wike, fueling speculation that the move is part of a broader strategy to tighten his grip on the state’s political structure, despite not holding office in Rivers State.
The swearing-in comes amid ongoing legal efforts to challenge the legitimacy of the appointments. On April 7, a human rights organization, the Pilex Center for Civic Education, filed a suit at the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt, urging the court to halt the process.
The group’s coordinator, Courage Nsirimovu, argues that the imposition of Sole Administrators undermines democratic governance and the constitutional autonomy of local governments.
In response to the suit, Justice Adamu Mohammed summoned the state’s Sole Administrator to appear in court and explain why an interim injunction should not be granted to restrain further action on the appointments.
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The case has been adjourned to April 14 for hearing.
Critics argue that the move erodes local democracy, sidelining the electorate in favor of handpicked loyalists. Supporters, however, defend the decision as a necessary measure to maintain order and ensure continuity in local governance.
As legal proceedings continue and political tension simmers, the unfolding events in Rivers State underscore a growing power struggle with national implications, drawing attention from observers across Nigeria’s political landscape.