Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), the Sole Administrator of Rivers State, faced intense backlash on Wednesday after dismissing the 23 local government caretakers and the chairman of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), Justice Adolphus Enebeli (retd.). The caretakers were replaced with new administrators across the state’s 23 LGAs, while Dr. Michael Odey, joined by six members—including four professors—took over from Enebeli at RSIEC.

The move came less than a day after a Federal High Court in Port Harcourt, in suit FHC/PH/CS/46/2025 filed by PILEX Centre for Civic Education Initiative under Courage Msirimovu, ordered Ibas to appear and explain why he should not be barred from appointing LGA administrators. Justice Adamu Muhammed issued the directive on Tuesday. Despite this, Ibas proceeded, with the decision announced Wednesday in a statement from Prof. Ibibia Worika, Secretary to the Rivers State Government. The statement detailed, “His Excellency, Vice Admiral (retd.) Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas CFR, has approved administrators for the 23 LGAs and the reconstitution of previously suspended boards of agencies, commissions, and parastatals, effective Monday, April 7, 2025.”

This follows Ibas’s earlier actions, including last week’s suspension of all heads of ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs), and the cancellation of ongoing procurement and tender processes by MDAs. Citing a Supreme Court ruling and the lack of an appropriation law, Ibas ordered refunds of tender fees to contractors. He also appointed new chairmen and members to the civil service and local government service commissions.

Jerry Omatsogunwa, Special Adviser on Electronic Media to Governor Siminilayi Fubara, slammed the moves as “impunity taken too far.” He accused I portanoof acting unilaterally, especially given the court summons, and noted the National Assembly’s rejection of Ibas’s budget plans. “The Assembly has said his budget won’t stand—it’s not why he’s here,” Omatsogunwa said. “The court told him to stop and explain, yet he named 23 LGA administrators. He’s become a lord unto himself, unacceptable in a democracy. Rivers people must reject this, and it won’t hold up.”