Chief George To Rivers Sole Admin: Your Appointment Of LG Administrators, Illegal

…Says, Ibas is wielding executive and legislative powers

Former Deputy National Chairman (South) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olabode George warned Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), Sole Administrator of Rivers State to stop wielding both executive and legislative powers in Rivers State.

Chief George, who gave the warning while reacting to the recent appointments and restructuring of Rivers State boards, said that a Sole Administrator is not and cannot be law unto himself like Ibas is doing, stressing that Vice Admiral Ibas is accountable to the National Assembly.

Chief George, who was also a Naval Officer and military governor of Lagos and Ondo States, described the actions of Ibas so far in Rivers State as “illegal and potentially damaging”.

The PDP Chieftain in a statement on Friday, April 11, 2025, tasked Vice Admiral Ibas (retd) to adhere to the provisions of the Constitution and the rule of law as against acting as if he was not bound by any law whatsoever.

He particularly castigated the Sole Administrator for going ahead to appoint unconstitutional Administrators to oversee the 23 local government areas of Rivers State which he noted was totally against the decision of the Supreme Court.

He also queried the brazen restructuring of State Boards, despite an existing and valid court order that prohibits such actions.

Justice Adamu Turaki Muhammed of the Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt had issued an order stopping Ibas from appointing sole administrators for the local councils, but, Ibas jettisoned the Court order and proceeded with the appointments and reconstitution of the boards of various agencies, commissions, and parastatals.

Commenting on the development, Chief George said; “I want to warn Admiral Ibas, if you act against the spirit of the Constitution, you will be held responsible. Your appointment is for just six months.

“Even if the President extends it, you will still leave one day, because nobody elected you. Your position as Sole Administrator is not legally and constitutionally recognized,” he said.

Chief George insisted that Sir Siminalayi Fubara remains the legitimately elected governor of Rivers State and therefore questioned the power of Ibas to make significant political appointments.

George said; “What happens to those appointments when you leave office on September 18? Why are you flouting a valid court order? Did you receive approval from the National Assembly to reconstitute the boards?”

“You have no legal right to appoint anyone. This is not a military regime. The Constitution is still in force. Those using you now will throw you under the bus once you leave office.

“You behaved honourably as a Naval officer. Don’t let unconstitutional actions stain your record. You did not drown in the Navy, don’t let politics drown you legally and politically. Now is the time to apply the brakes,” George said.