Vice Admiral Ibok-ete Ibas (rtd.) has been sworn in by President Bola Tinubu as Rivers State’s sole administrator.

After a brief meeting with the president on Wednesday afternoon, the administrator was sworn in.

When Tinubu proclaimed a state of emergency in Rivers State and suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu, and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly on Tuesday, he also announced the appointment of the retired naval chief in a nationwide broadcast.

Citing Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution as justification, Tinubu stated that he could not stand by and watch the political situation in Rivers worsen without doing something about it.

Numerous prominent Nigerians, legal experts, and organisations, including Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Femi Falana, the Labour Party (LP), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and the Nigerian Bar Association, have specifically rejected and denounced the suspension of Fubara and other democratically elected representatives.

ALSO READ: Governor Fubara Finally Breaks Silence, Reacts To State Of Emergency Declared By President Tinubu In Rivers

The pro-Nyesom Wike Assembly, chaired by Martins Amaewhule, has hailed the emergency rule, accusing Fubara of violating the Supreme Court’s order regarding the state’s political situation.

From 2015 until 2021, Ibas served as the Chief of Naval Staff. He had his early education in Cross River, where he was born.

In recognition of his outstanding service, he was appointed as Nigeria’s Ambassador to Ghana in 2021.

On the 18th of March 2025, he was appointed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to become the administrator of Rivers State.

Ibok-ete Ibas’s journey as a Naval Officer

Ibas began his early education at Nko Primary School before completing it at Big Qua Primary School, Calabar, in 1971. He proceeded to Hope Waddell Training Institute (1972-1976) and later attended the School of Basic Studies, Ogoja (1977-1979).

His naval journey commenced at the Nigerian Defence Academy on June 20, 1979, as part of the 26th Regular Course, leading to his commission as a sub-lieutenant on January 1, 1983.

His commitment to professional development saw him undergo extensive military training.

He is a member of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) and the Nigerian Institute of Management.

President Muhammadu Buhari who appointed him as Chief of Naval Staff conferred him with the National Honour of Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR) in 2022.

ALSO READ: Rivers State House Of Assembly Backs Emergency Rule, Pledges Sole Administrator Support

Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas held numerous key positions in the Nigerian Navy. As a midshipman, he served aboard NNS Ruwan Yaro, NNS Obuma, and NNS Aradu.

After commissioning as a sub-lieutenant, he was a watchkeeping officer on NNS Ayam and NNS Ekpe. Between 1993 and 1996, he became the executive officer of NNS Siri, NNS Ekun, and NNS Ambe.

He later commanded the Nigerian Navy Underwater Warfare School (1997–1998) and Forward Operating Base Ibaka (1998–2000).

Excelling in the Senior Staff Course, he was appointed as a directing staff at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji (2000–2002) and later served as Director, Maritime Warfare (2009–2010) and Deputy Commandant (2014).