Rivers State Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (Rtd.), has appointed administrators for the State’s 23 local government areas, effective from April 7, 2025. This decision also includes the reconstitution of boards for various agencies, commissions, and parastatals that were previously suspended.
The appointments were announced in a Special Government Announcement issued by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Ibibia Worika.
The administrators for the 23 Local Government Areas of Rivers State include:
- Mr Okroiyobi Animiete – Abua/Odual LGA
- Mr Goodluck M. Ihenacho – Ahoada East LGA
- Mr Promise Jacob – Ahoada West LGA
- Dr Tamunotonye Peters – Akuku Toru LGA
- Surveyor Atajit Francis – Andoni LGA
- Barrister Ibiapuve Charles – Asari Toru LGA
- Mr Kingsley N. Banigo – Bonny LGA
- Dr Sokari Ibifuro Francis – Degema LGA
- Dr Gloria Obo Dibiah – Eleme LGA
- Barr Franklin P. Ajinwon – Emohua LGA
- Dr Onyemachi S. Nwankwor – Etche LGA
- Prof. Gospel G. Kpee – Gokana LGA
- Mr Isaiah Christian Nobuawu – Ikwerre LGA
- Dr Barinedum Nwibere – Khana LGA
- Dr Clifford Ndu Walter – Obio Akpor LGA
- Dr Chukwuma Aje – Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA
- Eliel Owubokiri – Ogu/Bolo LGA
- Mr Thompson Isodiki – Okrika LGA
- Manager Ikechi Wala – Omuma LGA
- Mr Fred Apiafi – Opobo /Nkoro LGA
- Eletuuo Ihianacho – Oyigbo LGA
- Dr Sam Kalagbor – Port Harcourt LGA
- Mr Nuka O. S. Gbipah – Tai LGA
The following have also been appointed as Chairman and members of the Rivers State Electoral Commission:
- Dr Micheal Ekpai Odey – Chairman
- Mr Lezaasi Lenee Torbira – Member
- Prof Author Nwafor – Member
- Prof Godfrey Woke Mbgudiogha – Member
- Prof Joyce Akaninwor – Member
- Dr Olive A. Bruce – Member
- Prof Chidi Halliday – Member
The announcement confirmed that the appointments take immediate effect.
This move comes shortly after a Federal High Court in Port Harcourt issued an order preventing Ibas from appointing administrators for the local government councils. The court ruling, made on April 1, 2025, followed a suit filed by the PILEX Centre for Civic Education Initiative.
In addition to these appointments, Ibas recently suspended all heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) in the State and cancelled pending procurement processes due to the absence of an appropriation law following a Supreme Court ruling. He also ordered the refund of fees paid by contractors involved in these processes.
