Rivers State Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), has approved the appointment of administrators for the 23 Local Government Areas of the state.
The announcement came less than 24 hours after a Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt reportedly restrained him from making such appointments. The order was issued on Tuesday by Justice Adam Muhammed in suit No. FHC/PH/CS/46/2025. The case was filed by the PILEX Centre for Civic Education Initiative, led by Courage Msirimovu, against the Sole Administrator in his official capacity.
Despite the court’s ruling, Ibas also gave approval for the reconstitution of various boards of agencies, commissions, and parastatals that had earlier been suspended.
The appointments and reconstitutions were announced on Wednesday morning in a Special Government Announcement issued by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Ibibia Worika.
The statement read, “His Excellency, The Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral (Rtd) Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas CFR, has approved the appointments of administrators for the 23 Local Government Areas of Rivers State.
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“He has also approved the reconstitution of some boards of agencies, commissions, and parastatals, earlier suspended.
“All appointments take effect from Monday, the 7th of April 2025.”
According to the list released, Mr Okroiyobi Animete was appointed for Abua/Odual Local Government Area, Mr Goodluck M. Iheanacho for Ahoada East, and Mr Promise Jacob for Ahoada West, among others.
This development follows a series of recent decisions made by the Sole Administrator. Last week, he suspended all heads of Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) across the state with immediate effect.
In a separate move, Ibas also cancelled all pending procurement and tender processes carried out by the MDAs. He said the cancellation became necessary in view of the recent Supreme Court judgment and the lack of an appropriation law during the relevant period.
According to a previous statement also issued by the SSG, the Sole Administrator directed all MDAs that had conducted such procurement processes to refund the fees to the contractors involved.
Here is the list of the newly appointed administrators for the 23 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Rivers State, as approved by Sole Administrator Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.):
- Mr. Okroiyobi Animete – Abua/Odual LGA
- Mr. Goodluck M. Iheanacho – Ahoada East LGA
- Mr. Promise Jacob – Ahoada West LGA
- Dr. Tamunotonye Peters – Akuku Toru LGA
- Surveyor Atajit Francis – Andoni LGA
- Barrister Ibiapuye Charles – Asari-Toru LGA
- Mr. Kingsley N. Banigo – Bonny LGA
- Dr. Sokari Ibifuro Francis – Degema LGA
- Dr. Gloria Obo-Dibiah – Eleme LGA
- Barrister Franklin P. Ajinwon – Emohua LGA
- Dr. Onyenachi S. Nwankwor – Etche LGA
- Professor Gospel G. Kpee – Gokana LGA
- Mr. Isaiah Christian Nobuawu – Ikwerre LGA
- Dr. Barinedum Nwibere – Khana LGA
- Dr. Clifford Ndu Walter – Obio/Akpor LGA
- Dr. Chukwuma Aje – Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA
- Mr. Eliel Owubokiri – Ogu/Bolo LGA
- Mr. Thompson Isodiki – Okrika LGA
- Mr. Manager Ikechi Wala – Omuma LGA
- Mr. Fred Apiafi – Opobo/Nkoro LGA
- Mr. Eletuuo Ihianacho – Oyigbo LGA
- Dr. Sam Kalagbor – Port Harcourt LGA
- Mr. Nuka O. S. Gbipah – Tai LGA
