Rivers Sole Administrator Appoints Local Government Administrators Despite Court Order

Rivers State Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), has moved forward with the appointment of administrators for all 23 local government areas (LGAs) of the state, despite a recent court order restraining him from making such appointments. This announcement was made in a statement issued early Wednesday by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Ibibia Worika.

The appointments took immediate effect on Monday, April 7, 2025. Among the appointed administrators are:

• Abua/Odual: Mr. Okroiyobi Animiete

• Ahoada East: Mr. Goodluck M. Ihenacho

• Ahoada West: Mr. Promise Jacob

• Akuku Toru: Dr. Tamunotonye Peters

• Andoni: Surveyor Atajit Francis

• Asari Toru: Barrister Ibiapuve Charles

• Bonny: Mr. Kingsley N. Banigo

• Degema: Dr. Sokari Ibifuro Francis

• Eleme: Dr. Gloria Obo Dibiah

• Emohua: Barrister Franklin P. Ajinwon

• Etche: Dr. Onyemachi S. Nwankwor

• Gokana: Prof. Gospel G. Kpee

• Ikwerre: Mr. Isaiah Christian Nobuawu

• Khana: Dr. Barinedum Nwibere

• Obio Akpor: Dr. Clifford Ndu Walter

• Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni: Dr. Chukwuma Aje

• Ogu/Bolo: Eliel Owubokiri

• Okrika: Mr. Thompson Isodiki

• Omuma: Manager Ikechi Wala

• Opobo/Nkoro: Mr. Fred Apiafi

• Oyigbo: Eletuuo Ihianacho

• Port Harcourt: Dr. Sam Kalagbor

• Tai: Mr. Nuka O. S. Gbipah

The state government also announced the reconstitution of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) with the appointment of Dr. Micheal Ekpai Odey as chairman. The new RSIEC members include:

• Mr. Lezaasi Lenee Torbira

• Prof. Arthur Nwafor

• Prof. Godfrey Woke Mbgudiogha

• Prof. (Dame) Joyce Akaninwor

• Dr. (Mrs.) Olive A. Bruce

• Prof. Chidi Halliday

Additionally, Ibas approved the reconstitution of several boards of agencies, commissions, and parastatals that had previously been suspended.

The wave of appointments, however, comes just a day after a Federal High Court in Port Harcourt issued an order restraining Vice Admiral Ibas from appointing administrators for the LGAs. The court ruling followed a suit challenging the legality of Ibas’ authority to make such appointments pending the determination of the substantive case.

Despite this injunction, the appointments were executed, raising concerns over executive overreach and the apparent disregard for judicial processes.