Why Falana Asked Tinubu To Remove Ibas
THECONSCIENCE NG reports that prominent human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), has called on President Bola Tinubu to immediately remove Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd.) from his position as Sole Administrator of Rivers State, citing a breach of presidential directives.
Falana criticized Ibas for acting beyond his mandate, noting that President Tinubu had clearly stated that the Sole Administrator “shall operate on the basis of such Regulations that may, from time to time, be issued by me.”
He emphasized that no such regulations have been issued by the President since Ibas’s appointment. Despite this, the Sole Administrator has reportedly made several appointments and dismissed officials previously 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,” Falana stated. “He ought to be removed without any further delay.”
President Tinubu appointed Ibas as Sole Administrator on March 18, 2025, following the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State. This move came with the suspension of Governor Fubara, Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu, and all members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
The President defended his decision under Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution, stating that he could no longer stand by as the political crisis in the state escalated.
In response to the ongoing developments, the House of Representatives’ Ad-Hoc Committee on Rivers State has summoned Ibas for a comprehensive briefing.
Vice Admiral Ibas previously served as Nigeria’s Chief of Naval Staff from 2015 to 2021. He hails from Cross River State, where he also received his early education.
