Sources close to Government House in Rivers State have raised concerns over alleged plans by the state’s sole administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, to announce new Local Government Area (LGA) administrators.
Recall that immediately after the Supreme Court judgment that nullified the October 5, 2024, local government elections in Rivers State, suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara directed all the council chairmen to hand over to the heads of local governments until proper elections are conducted.
However, reports from sources who pleaded anonymity said the sole administrator is set to announce new council administrators despite the clear provisions of the Nigerian Constitution and the recent Supreme Court judgment affirming the autonomy of LGAs.
The move, if carried out, the sources alleged, would amount to a blatant disregard for democratic principles and a violation of the Supreme Court’s ruling, which reaffirmed that local governments must be governed by elected officials, not handpicked appointees.
