“Remove Ibas Without Delay” – Falana Tells Tinubu Over Breach of Presidential Order

Renowned human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, has called on President Bola Tinubu to immediately remove the Sole Administrator for Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd.), citing a violation of a presidential order.

Falana, in a statement on Thursday, said Ibas breached the directives laid out in the Official Gazette of March 18, 2025, titled *State of Emergency (Rivers State) Proclamation, 2025*. The legal luminary noted that the gazette clearly stipulates that the sole administrator is to function based solely on regulations issued by the President.

“It is common knowledge that President Bola Tinubu has not issued any Regulation for the operation of the Sole Administrator,” Falana stated. “But the Sole Administrator has made appointments and removed officials appointed by Governor Siminalayi Fubara. By treating the orders of President Bola Tinubu with contempt, the Sole Administrator has compounded the illegality of his appointment. The Sole Administrator ought to be removed without any further delay.”

President Tinubu had appointed Ibas as the administrator of Rivers State on March 18, 2025, following the declaration of a state of emergency in the state and the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu, and the state House of Assembly. Tinubu said his action was in line with Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution to stem the escalating political crisis in the state.

Meanwhile, the House of Representatives Ad-Hoc Committee on Rivers State has summoned Ibas for a “comprehensive interactive session” in Abuja.

Ibas, who served as Chief of Naval Staff from 2015 to 2021, hails from Cross River State, where he had his early education.