Human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) has called on President Bola Tinubu to remove him from his sole Chief Executive, Ibok-Ete Ibas (Rtd.), accusing him of violating the president’s order.
Falana issued a statement Thursday, April 17, asserting that Ibas violated the provisions of the official communiqué of March 18, 2025, titled “State of Emergency (Rivers) Announcement, 2025.
According to Farana, the Gazette clearly states that the sole administrator will operate under the regulations issued by President Tinob, but such regulations have not been enacted. Falana stressed that despite this, IBAS continued to appoint and removed the suspended Governor of Rivers Siminalayi Fubara.
Falana criticized Ibas for ignoring President Tinubu’s orders, saying his actions were “disdain” to the president’s directives. He further argued that Ibas’s actions complicated his appointment violations and he should be removed immediately.
Ibas is a retired naval official who was appointed as the only executive in Rivers State by President Tinob on March 18, 2025 after the state declared a state of emergency. This is due to the suspension of Governor Fubara, Lt. Governor Ngozi ODU and Rivers State Assembly members. Tinubu, citing Article 305 of the 1999 Constitution, expressed concern about the escalating political situation in the state.
The House River State Provisional Committee has previously convened an IBAS to hold a comprehensive interactive meeting in Abuja. Ibas served as Chief of Navy Staff from 2015 to 2021, from Cross River State where he received his early education.
