Retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, the newly appointed Administrator of Rivers State, has pledged to work closely with all stakeholders to restore peace, law, and order in the state. His commitment comes amid ongoing political tensions that led to a state of emergency being declared in Rivers.
Ibas made this statement while speaking to State House Correspondents shortly after his swearing-in ceremony at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Wednesday. The event was presided over by President Bola Tinubu and witnessed by top government officials, including the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Lateef Fagbemi, as well as the Chief of Staff to the President, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila.
Addressing the media, Ibas noted the urgent need to restore stability in the state. “First of all, I think we know the circumstances that led to where we are here, and Mr. President made it very clear in his broadcast that the main issue is that of maintaining law and order in the state. I think for any meaningful activities to take place in Rivers State, that is the utmost task. I have to work together with all other stakeholders to ensure that we bring peace, order, and security and stability to the people and government of Rivers State and Nigeria at large,” he said.
The appointment of Ibas follows President Tinubu’s national address on Tuesday, where he declared a state of emergency in Rivers due to the prolonged political crisis. Under this emergency measure, Ibas will oversee the state’s affairs for an initial period of six months, with the possibility of an extension depending on the situation.
Ibas, born on September 27, 1960, has had a distinguished career in the Nigerian Navy. He was commissioned as a sub-lieutenant in 1983 and held several key command positions before being appointed as Chief of Naval Staff by former President Muhammadu Buhari in August 2015. He served in that role until his retirement in 2021.
Following his retirement, he was appointed by President Buhari as Nigeria’s High Commissioner to Ghana, a position he held from 2021 to 2023.
