From Tony John, Port Harcourt

Rivers Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd) has announced the appointment of administrators in the 23 Local Government Areas of the state.

They include, Mr Okroiyobi Animiete (Abua/Odual), Mr Goodluck M. Ihenacho (Ahoada East), Mr. Promise Jacob (Ahoada West), Dr Tamunotonye Peters (Akuku Toru), Surveyor Atajit Francis (Andoni), Barrister Ibiapuve Charles (Asari Toru), Mr. Kingsley N. Banigo (Bonny), Dr Sokari Ibifuro Francis (Degema), Dr Gloria Obo Dibiah (Eleme) and Barrister Franklin P. Ajinwon (Emohua).

Others are, Dr. Onyemachi S. Nwankwor (Etche), Prof. Gospel G. Kpee (Gokana), Mr Isaiah Christian Nobuawu (Ikwerre), Dr Barinedum Nwibere (Khana), Dr Clifford Ndu Walter (Obio/Akpor), Dr Chukwuma Aje (Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni), Eliel Owubokiri (Ogu/Bolo), Mr. Thompson Isodiki (Okrika), Manager Ikechi Wala (Omuma), Mr Fred Apiafi (Opobo/Nkoro), Eletuuo Ihianacho (Oyigbo), Dr Sam Kalagbor (Port Harcourt) and Mr Nuka O. S. Gbipah (Tai).

The appointment, which took effect from Monday, April 7, 2025, was made public earlier Wednesday, less than 24 hours after a Federal High Court in Port Harcourt gave a restraining order to the appointment of council sole administrators.

The appointments were contained in a statement signed by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Prof. Ibibia Worika.

Worika stated: “His Excellency, the Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral (retd) Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas CFR, has approved the appointments of administrators for the 23 Local Government Areas of Rivers State.

Also, the Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibas (retd), approved the reconstitution of some boards of agencies, commissions and parastatals earlier suspended.

Similarly, the following have also been appointed as Chairman and members of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RRSIEC).

They are Dr Micheal Ekpai Odey (Chairman), Mr Lezaasi Lenee Torbira (member), Prof Author Nwafor, Professor Godfrey Woke Mbgudiogha (member), Professor (Dame) Joyce Akaninwor (member), Dr (Mrs) Olive A. Bruce (member), and Professor Chidi Halliday (member).

“All appointments take effect from Monday, the 7th of April 2025.”

Meanwhile, the order restraining the sole administrator from appointing council bosses was issued on April 8, 2025, by Justice Adamu Turaki Muhammed in Suit No. FHC/PH/CS/46/2025 in the case filed by PILEX Centre for Civic Education Initiative led by Courage Nsirimovu against the Sole Administrator (Vice Admiral Ibas).

The court stated that the motion ex parte was filed on March 28, 2025, praying the court for many reliefs, firstly, an order of interim injunction restraining the respondent or his agents from appointing the sole administrator or whatever name called for the 23 LGAs. They also prayed for any other order deemed necessary in the circumstance.

The justice said he found enough reason to grant the prayers and fixed April 14, 2025, for hearing.