Court Halts Rivers Sole Administrator’s LGA Appointments

Rivers Court Blocks Sole Administrator from LGA Appointments

​A Federal High Court in Port Harcourt has issued an interim injunction restraining the Rivers State Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retired), from appointing sole administrators to oversee the state’s 23 local government areas (LGAs).

The ruling was delivered by Justice Adamu Turaki Muhammed in response to a suit filed by the Pilex Centre for Civic Education Initiative, led by Courage Msirimovu. The court’s decision aims to prevent the appointment of unelected officials to manage local government affairs, emphasizing adherence to constitutional provisions for democratic governance at the local level.

This development follows the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State on March 18, 2025, by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, citing prolonged political instability. Subsequently, Vice Admiral Ibas was appointed as the Sole Administrator, leading to actions such as the suspension of political appointees and the proposed appointment of LGA administrators.

Supporters of Governor Siminalayi Fubara have expressed concerns that these moves undermine democratic processes and violate constitutional mandates. The court’s injunction is seen as a measure to uphold the rule of law and ensure that local governance structures are established through proper electoral processes.