Rivers State Turmoil: Tinubu's Appointee Faces Legal Challenges Amid Political Storm

Former Spokesperson Sara-Igbe Calls Out President Tinubu's Move as Unconstitutional

Anderson Cooper here: Let’s dive into the latest political drama unfolding in Rivers State, Nigeria. Anabs Sara-Igbe, a respected member of the Rivers State Elders and Leaders Council and former spokesperson for the Pan Niger Delta Forum, is speaking out boldly against President Bola Tinubu’s recent decision to appoint Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.) as the Sole Administrator of Rivers State. Sara-Igbe is not mincing words—he’s calling the move flat-out illegal. And trust me, this is a situation with layers of complexity that go beyond your average political tussle.

Naija News has reported that Sara-Igbe is raising some serious red flags about the financial management in Rivers State. He argues that the federal government is withholding the state’s allocation due to Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s failure to present a budget. But here’s the kicker: despite this, funds have been released to Admiral Ibas, whose very appointment Sara-Igbe claims is unconstitutional. This inconsistency, he says, points to a deeper issue—a breach of constitutional principles.

Admiral Ibas Steps In, Sparks Controversy

On Wednesday, Admiral Ibas made waves by announcing the suspension of key political appointees under Governor Fubara, including the Secretary to the State Government and various Commissioners. In a candid interview with Punch, Sara-Igbe slammed this move, emphasizing the legal pitfalls of Admiral Ibas’s position.

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Let me break it down for you: Sara-Igbe argues that the Supreme Court ruled that funds should not be released to Fubara until the budget is presented. However, Governor Fubara faced multiple obstacles that prevented him from presenting the budget. Meanwhile, attempts to impeach Fubara failed after the court admitted evidence and scheduled a ruling for the 16th of the month. Now, with Admiral Ibas in charge, the question remains—how does this align with the Constitution?

Constitutional Violations: A Growing Concern

Sara-Igbe insists that Admiral Ibas’s actions, such as suspending Fubara’s appointees, are unlawful. According to him, the Constitution does not provide for a sole administrator to assume the powers of a governor. In his words, “He (Ibas) has no powers to sack commissioners. He also does not have powers to appoint local government administrators.” This is a crucial point because it challenges the very foundation of Admiral Ibas’s authority.

Sara-Igbe also points out that the Supreme Court has previously ruled that local government administrators must be elected, not appointed. This precedent, he argues, directly contradicts Admiral Ibas’s appointment. Furthermore, he criticizes President Tinubu for authorizing the release of funds to Ibas, describing it as an act of contempt for the Supreme Court’s ruling.

Power Plays and Governance by Fiat

Sara-Igbe expresses deep concern about the current state of governance in Nigeria. He names President Tinubu, former Governor Nyesom Wike, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and former Speaker of the House of Representatives Femi Gbajabiamila as key figures governing the country through fiat, bypassing constitutional processes. In his words, “We have Bola Tinubu, Nyesom Wike, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and Femi Gbajabiamila, the four persons now ruling Nigeria with fiat. And they think they can get away with this.”

He warns that these actions will not go unchecked, saying, “Government comes, government goes, one day they will be called upon to clear themselves.” This is a strong reminder that accountability is inevitable, no matter how powerful someone may seem in the moment.

Legal Challenges Ahead

Sara-Igbe challenges the legality of Admiral Ibas’s actions, stating that they are “illegal, unconstitutional, and therefore null and void.” He advises Ibas to step back, reminding him of his clean record before retirement. “But I advise him (Ibas) as a senior citizen of this country not to dabble himself into something that he cannot come out from. He had a clean slate and retired,” Sara-Igbe said.

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He also questions the legality of local government elections, noting that the statutory notice period for such elections has not been met. This means that conducting these elections would be impossible under the current circumstances. Sara-Igbe warns that all actions taken under Admiral Ibas’s leadership will be challenged and scrutinized. “Even the local government election cannot work now because the notice is not up to 12 months; 360 days, that’s what the notice says. So, we will look at it and see how these things will play out. But all what they are doing is illegal,” he concluded.

Holding Them Accountable

Sara-Igbe stresses that Admiral Ibas and others involved in these decisions will eventually be held accountable for their actions and the misuse of state resources. “They are illegality, null and void and of no effect. They will account for everything, every penny,” he emphasized. This is a powerful message that resonates with many Nigerians who demand transparency and justice in governance.

As this political saga unfolds, one thing is clear—Nigerians are watching closely, and the stakes are high. The question remains: will these leaders respect the rule of law, or will they continue to govern by fiat? Only time will tell.