Ibas stated that the reports are false and misleading, cautioning the public about the dangers of fake news, which he claimed are intentionally created to incite panic and undermine the state.
The Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Etteh Ibas (Rtd.), has dismissed viral reports claiming that he summoned the suspended Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Nma Odu, for a meeting on Friday, April 18, 2025.
Ibas stated that the reports are false and misleading, cautioning the public about the dangers of fake news, which he claimed are intentionally created to incite panic and undermine the state.
The denial was contained in an official statement issued Wednesday by Sir Dede Sampson Friday, Permanent Secretary from the Office of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG).
“The Rivers State Government has become aware of fraudulent announcements circulating on social media, falsely attributed to the Office of the Secretary to the State Government,” the statement read.
“These malicious fabrications are designed to mislead the public, create panic, and disrupt the peace in Rivers State.”
It was widely reported that Ibas invited Fubara and his deputy to discuss their management of Rivers State resources since their inauguration in May 2023.
The state government has categorically dismissed the announcement as fake, stressing that it did not originate from any official source.
“The Rivers State Government categorically states that this announcement is fake and did not originate from any official source. The public is urged to disregard this and any similar misinformation, as they are the work of troublemakers seeking to destabilise the state,” the statement said.
To prevent further misinformation, the government advised the public to rely only on verified communication channels, including the official state government website: www.riversstate.gov.ng, press releases from the Office of the Governor and the Office of the Secretary to the State Government and authorised Facebook page.
On March 18, 2025, President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, citing escalating political instability and security concerns. This action led to the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and all members of the Rivers State House of Assembly for an initial period of six months.
In the same address, President Tinubu appointed retired Vice Admiral Ibas as the Sole Administrator of Rivers State.
Ibas, who previously served as Nigeria's Chief of Naval Staff from 2015 to 2021, was tasked with overseeing the state's affairs during the emergency period. The President emphasised that while the judiciary would continue its functions, the administrator would not enact new laws but could formulate necessary regulations subject to approval by the Federal Executive Council.
The declaration of emergency rule and the appointment of a sole administrator in Rivers State have sparked legal challenges and debates regarding their constitutionality.
Critics, including the Nigerian Bar Association, argue that such measures contravene the 1999 Constitution, which does not allow elected officials to be suspended during a state of emergency.
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