The Rivers State Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (rtd), has cancelled all procurement and tender processes conducted by Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) during the period when Governor Siminalayi Fubara was suspended.
The decision was communicated through a statement signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Ibibia Worika, and was in response to the Supreme Court ruling that upheld the Appeal Court’s decision in Suit No. CA/ABJ/CV/133/2024.
Additionally, the cancellation was due to the absence of an Appropriation Law in the state.
As part of the move, Ibas directed that all MDAs that had carried out tender processes for projects in their respective offices refund the tender fees to contractors immediately.
This will remain the case until a spending plan is approved for the state, with contractors being notified in due course when that approval is given.
The decision has sparked mixed reactions within the state. Less than two weeks after resuming his duties following the State of Emergency declared by President Bola Tinubu—which led to the suspension of Governor Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and members of the State Assembly—many citizens have expressed concerns over Ibas’ actions.
Critics argue that his actions appear to align with agendas set by Abuja-based political figures.
Last week, Ibas also dismissed all appointees from Fubara’s administration, further intensifying the political tension.
Political analyst and former House of Representatives member, Ogbonna Nwuke, criticized the Sole Administrator’s actions, describing him as increasingly partisan, which, he argued, was detrimental to his mandate.
Nwuke emphasized that Ibas was appointed to act impartially, standing as a neutral figure between conflicting interests, but said that his recent decisions were not conducive to maintaining peace in Rivers State.
He called on President Tinubu to caution Ibas against taking “unguided actions,” warning that such steps could destabilize the state further.
Nwuke also expressed concern over the corruption and violence allegations made against Governor Fubara by the former Head of Service, suggesting that these accusations could escalate tensions in Rivers.
Nwuke then appealed to President Tinubu to reconsider the suspension of Governor Fubara, his deputy, and members of the State Assembly.
“Nigeria cannot be practicing democracy while Rivers State is experiencing military rule,” he said.
“Before the president acted under section 305 to declare a State of Emergency, he was misinformed. We are confident now that the truth has been made clear and that the State is peaceful. The President should lift the emergency rule and restore those suspended.”
However, the All Progressives Congress (APC) spokesman in Rivers State, Chibuike Ikenga, disagreed with Nwuke’s stance.
He argued that if the Governor was suspended, then those appointed by him during that time also remained suspended.
“If their main boss, who suspended them, is under suspension, clearly it means they were part of the issues that took place during that period,” Ikenga stated.
Ikenga also pointed out that many of the affected individuals did not go through the proper legislative process, as required by the House of Assembly, and thus should be removed in line with the Supreme Court’s ruling.
“Most of the affected persons did not pass through the recommended House of Assembly and hence, they ought to go because the Supreme Court judgment noted that they did not meet the necessary requirements,” Ikenga added.
He also affirmed that the APC supports the decisions of the Sole Administrator, including the declaration of the State of Emergency, stating that it was necessary for the stability of the state at this moment.
Despite the tension in Rivers, both sides agree that the political situation remains fluid, with the state’s future direction uncertain as stakeholders await further developments.
