Political unrest in Rivers State took a dramatic turn on Thursday as protests intensified and the appointed Sole Administrator, Retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, failed to appear before the House of Representatives Committee overseeing the emergency administration of the state.
In a tense atmosphere at the National Assembly Complex on Thursday, April 24, 2025, Retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, the appointed Sole Administrator of Rivers State, was noticeably absent from a crucial meeting with the House of Representatives Committee examining the state’s governance under the ongoing emergency rule.
The committee, chaired by Prof. Julius Ihonvbere, held a closed-door session that lasted nearly an hour, but members exited the meeting room in silence, refusing to address waiting journalists. Notably present at the meeting were key lawmakers such as Deputy Chief Whip Ali Isah, and chairpersons of several vital House committees, including those on Finance, Health Services, Federal Character, and Water Resources.
Although no official explanation was given for Ibas’ absence, insiders revealed to NIGPOST that the Sole Administrator is now scheduled to meet the panel on Friday, April 25, at 10 am. His earlier appearance at the National Economic Council (NEC) meeting chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima may have led to the delay.
Back in Rivers State, the streets of Opobo Kingdom echoed with chants and prayers as hundreds of women dressed in black staged a protest calling for the reinstatement of suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
They described the imposition of a Sole Administrator as a violation of their democratic rights and deemed the state of emergency unconstitutional.
Leading the demonstration was Felicia Pepple, President of the Opobo Women Association, who emphasized the governor’s efforts in enhancing development and promoting peace across the state.
The protest began with a solemn prayer at King Jaja Monument Square, followed by a march to the Water Side, where the women staged a sit-in demonstration.
Pepple passionately urged President Bola Tinubu to reverse the decision, saying, “We voted for Governor Fubara because of his integrity and achievements. We cannot stand by and watch our democracy be dismantled.”
Echoing her sentiment, a local resident, Blessing Accra-Jaja, lamented the loss of social and economic vibrancy in the town. “Places like King Jaja Monument Square and the once-bustling hotels now look like ghost towns,” she said. “We need our governor back to restore the spirit of our communities.”
The Rivers Women Unite Prayer Group also held a rally in Port Harcourt, praying for peace and restoration. In their statement signed by Dr. Vivian Ige-Elenwo and Chikodi Okpara, they warned that the emergency rule was damaging the state’s economy and exacerbating hardship among women, youth, and children. The group called on President Tinubu to dissolve the Sole Administrator system, restore democratic institutions, and reinstate Fubara.
While declaring unwavering support for President Tinubu’s broader leadership, they stressed the importance of justice, equity, and urgent reconciliation to rescue Rivers from a political and economic decline.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) found itself embroiled in controversy after a legal group, the Public Interest Lawyers League (PILL), demanded the resignation of NBA President Afam Osigwe (SAN) and Emeka Obegolu, chairman of the NBA Annual General Conference Committee.
This call followed revelations that the NBA allegedly received a N300 million payment from the Rivers State Government, under the suspended Governor Fubara, to host its 2025 Annual General Conference—an event which was eventually relocated to Enugu.
PILL President, Abdul Mahmud, condemned the acceptance of the funds, questioning the moral authority of the NBA to hold others accountable while failing to uphold transparency within its own ranks. “You cannot preach integrity while operating in secrecy and corruption,” Mahmud said.
He stressed that the resignations were not meant to punish, but to initiate necessary reforms within the association. “This is about restoring the soul of the Nigerian Bar Association. The N300 million gift was never publicly declared by the NBA; it took a whistleblower to expose it,” he added.
Mahmud further criticized the lack of disclosure by the NBA, stating that the association’s leadership should have returned the funds or, at the very least, informed its members and the public about the transaction. “We must demand better from those who claim to represent justice and rule of law.”
As Rivers State continues to witness political turmoil, the calls for justice and the reinstatement of its elected governor grow louder, while national institutions grapple with internal credibility crises.
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