Rivers Sole Administrator Appoints SSG. But How Much Power Does He Really Have?

On Tuesday, March 18, President Bola Tinubu took many Nigerians by surprise when he announced a state of emergency in Rivers State, suspending the elected Governor, Siminilayi Fubara, his deputy, Ngozi Nma Odu, and the entire State House of Assembly.

Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.) was then appointed as the Sole Administrator of Rivers State. The decision was justified on the grounds of maintaining law and order amid escalating political tensions and security concerns in the oil-rich state.

The move, however, sparked intense debates about its legality. Constitutionally, emergency rule is permitted under Section 305 of the Nigerian Constitution under certain conditions, but the extent of executive power granted to an appointed administrator remains a gray area, fueling concerns over democratic governance in the state.

The Appointment of Professor Ibibi Worika as SSG

As Vice Admiral Ibas (retd.) settles into his new position, questions are emerging about what he can and cannot do as Rivers’ Sole Administrator, particularly following his appointment of Professor Ibibi Worika as the new Secretary to the State Government (SSG) on Tuesday, March 25. His appointment, according to the administrator’s statement, was based on his “distinguished career spanning academia, international legal practice, and high-level policy advisory roles.”

The statement further emphasized the need to “harness the great human capital of Rivers’ people to achieve the much-needed peace, stability, and security.”

But the political climate in Rivers is far from stable, as the appointment came shortly after the resignation of the Head of the Rivers State Civil Service, Dr. George Nwaeke. While the administration accepted Nwaeke’s resignation with “sadness,” the big question remains: How much power does the Sole Administrator have in making appointments such as that of the SSG?

How Far Can the Sole Administrator’s Powers Stretch?

Under the emergency rule, Vice Admiral Ibas (retd.) is tasked with managing the state’s affairs but with key limitations:

No Legislative Power: Unlike an elected governor who works with a state assembly to pass laws, the Sole Administrator cannot make new laws. Instead, he can only formulate regulations subject to the approval of the Federal Executive Council and the President.

This was confirmed by President Bola Tinubu’s speech.

“The Administrator will not make any new laws. He will, however, be free to formulate regulations as may be found necessary to do his job, but such regulations will need to be considered and approved by the Federal Executive Council and promulgated by the President for the state,” Tinubu clarified.

Power to Appoint an Executive Team: Despite his restricted legislative power, the Sole Administrator has been granted the authority to form a cabinet consisting of commissioners and other key officials to help him run the state. This means his appointment of an SSG falls within his administrative remit.

Financial Control: The administrator is the chief accounting officer of the state, meaning he has full control over paying salaries, executing projects, and ensuring governance continues during the emergency rule.

Security and Stability: The primary reason for his appointment was to restore stability to the state. As such, his primary focus is governance continuity, security management, and preventing further political upheaval.

While he has considerable administrative power, his inability to legislate independently is a major constraint, making his position fundamentally different from that of an elected governor.

What Next for Rivers State?

Since the declaration, there have been calls, both from the opposition and groups within Rivers, for the state of emergency—which is expected to last for six months—to be lifted.

But with the Sole Administrator actively making key appointments and shaping governance in Rivers State, the coming months will determine whether his leadership can effectively bring stability or if it will lead to prolonged political tension.