Your actions of every day protest is putting my patience to test—Rivers State Administrator Ibok Ette-Ibas Fumes
Retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, now serving as the Sole Administrator of Rivers State, has issued a stern caution to protesters backing suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, stating that their actions are putting his patience to the test.
This warning came through the Senior Special Adviser on Media to the administrator, Hector Igbikiowubo, who emphasized that Ibas has refrained from exercising the full scope of his emergency powers as outlined in the government gazette.
Speaking to DAILY GAZETTE on Tuesday, Igbikiowubo noted, “the fact that people are able to protest speaks to the administrator’s level of tolerance.”
“If you check the gazette declaring emergency rule, you will see that it grants the administrator sweeping powers. Yes, sweeping powers. But fortunately for Rivers residents, the administrator has exercised restraint.”
He described the continuing demonstrations as a significant challenge to the administrator’s authority.
“These protests, for whatever reason, are testing the administrator’s will. We urge Rivers residents to be restrained. It is important that we allow a cool head to prevail at this time. All hands must be on deck to restore democratic institutions.”
Igbikiowubo added that peaceful protest should not be confused with threats or disruption.
“Such actions are unnecessary,” he said, emphasizing that the re-establishment of governance structures will not come through intimidation or unrest.
He also disclosed that Ibas is engaging with key groups as part of a broader peace initiative.
“The administrator met with the leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria in the state today (Tuesday). They had lengthy discussions, and the CAN leadership provided advice on the way forward and the things they would like to see done.”
“This meeting took place at the administrator’s initiative, and he is making arrangements to meet with other important stakeholders in the state.”
According to Igbikiowubo, these engagements underscore Ibas’s intentions to return the state to democratic governance.
“This speaks to his preparedness, his mindset. He is fully committed to restoring democracy in Rivers State,” he said.
When asked about the administrator’s response to a pending invitation from the House of Representatives, Igbikiowubo replied briefly: “No, we don’t have a date yet.”
Meanwhile, a coalition of concerned Rivers State citizens has challenged the legality of the emergency rule, describing it as unconstitutional.
In an open letter addressed to President Bola Tinubu and shared with the National Assembly and international organizations, the group demanded that the decision be reversed and all suspended officials reinstated.
The letter, signed by notable figures including Donu Kogbara, Aleruchi Cookey-Gam, Dane Ibim Semenitari, Lloyd F. Ukwu (NADECO USA), Julie Dyer, and 19 others, took strong exception to the President’s action.
It reads in part “Dear President Tinubu. We, the People of Rivers State and concerned citizens of Nigeria, write to express our utmost outrage and condemnation of your recent declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State and the subsequent suspension of the democratically elected governor, His Excellency Sir Siminalayi Fubara, Deputy Governor, Professor Ngozi Odu, and all elected members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.”
The group accused Tinubu of violating constitutional procedures under Section 305(3) of the 1999 Constitution, which they said only permits emergency declarations under specific circumstances such as war, external aggression, or a breakdown of public order that overwhelms law enforcement.
“This action reflects a blatant disregard for the constitutional rights of the people of Rivers State and is a gross abuse of executive power. It is not only dangerously unconstitutional but also undermines the democratic principles upon which our nation is built,” the letter continued.
The signatories alleged the emergency rule amounted to federal overreach and an erosion of democratic norms, calling for a comprehensive investigation into those who advised the President.
“We urge you to respect the quasi-autonomy of Rivers State and allow the democratic process to proceed without interference. The people of Rivers State have the right to self-determination and to choose their leaders without external influence,” the group concluded.
