PORT HARCOURT, Nigeria – The Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, has announced the immediate suspension of all political appointees and office holders in the state.
The directive, effective Wednesday, March 26, 2025, was issued under the authority granted to the Administrator by President Bola Tinubu, according to a statement released by the Chief of Staff to the Administrator.
The sweeping suspension impacts a wide range of officials, including:
- The Secretary to the State Government
- The Chief of Staff
- All Commissioners
- Chairpersons and members of boards, agencies, commissions, and parastatals
- All Special Advisers, Special Assistants, and Senior Special Assistants
The statement instructs all affected individuals to hand over their responsibilities to the Permanent Secretaries within their respective Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs). In instances where a Permanent Secretary is not in place, the most senior Director or Head of Administration is to assume leadership.
Further details regarding the reasons for the suspension and the next steps are expected to be released later.
This development comes amidst the ongoing political tensions in Rivers State.
Note: The provided text mentioned “EXPLAINER: DIPHTHERIA” which seems unrelated to the news and has been omitted from the rewritten version.
