Port Harcourt, April 9, 2025 — Rivers State Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd), has appointed administrators for the 23 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the state, despite a Federal High Court order restraining such action.
The appointments, which took effect from Monday, April 7, were announced on Wednesday in a statement signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Ibibia Worika.
Worika stated that the appointments were made with the approval of Vice Admiral Ibas, alongside the reconstitution of several boards of agencies, commissions, and parastatals that had been previously suspended.
The newly appointed LGA administrators are:
Abua/Odual – Mr Okroiyobi Animiete
Ahoada East – Mr Goodluck M. Ihenacho
Ahoada West – Mr Promise Jacob
Akuku Toru – Dr Tamunotonye Peters
Andoni – Surveyor Atajit Francis
Asari Toru – Barrister Ibiapuve Charles
Bonny – Mr Kingsley N. Banigo
Degema – Dr Sokari Ibifuro Francis
Eleme – Dr Gloria Obo Dibiah
Emohua – Barrister Franklin P. Ajinwon
Etche – Dr Onyemachi S. Nwankwor
Gokana – Prof. Gospel G. Kpee
Ikwerre – Mr Isaiah Christian Nobuawu
Khana – Dr Barinedum Nwibere
Obio/Akpor – Dr Clifford Ndu Walter
Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni – Dr Chukwuma Aje
Ogu/Bolo – Mr Eliel Owubokiri
Okrika – Mr Thompson Isodiki
Omuma – Manager Ikechi Wala
Opobo/Nkoro – Mr Fred Apiafi
Oyigbo – Mr Eletuuo Ihianacho
Port Harcourt – Dr Sam Kalagbor
Tai – Mr Nuka O. S. Gbipah
In addition, the Sole Administrator also appointed new officials to the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RRSIEC). They include:
Chairman – Dr Michael Ekpai Odey
Members – Mr Lezaasi Lenee Torbira, Prof. Author Nwafor, Prof. Godfrey Woke Mbgudiogha, Prof. (Dame) Joyce Akaninwor, Dr (Mrs) Olive A. Bruce, and Prof. Chidi Halliday
Court Restrains Appointments
However, the appointments come less than 24 hours after Justice Adamu Turaki Mohammed of the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt issued an interim injunction in Suit No. FHC/PH/CS/46/2025, restraining the state administrator from appointing council officials.
The case was filed by the PILEX Centre for Civic Education Initiative, led by Courage Nsirimovu. The court granted the ex parte motion on April 8, having been filed on March 28. The suit sought an interim injunction to stop the appointment of sole administrators or any form of leadership for the 23 LGAs pending the determination of the case.
Justice Mohammed fixed April 14, 2025, for hearing.
The unfolding development has sparked legal and political debate over the legality of the appointments and the possible consequences of defying a court order.
