The National Patriotic Coalition (NPC) has called on President Bola Tinubu to urgently rein in the Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (Rtd), accusing him of overstepping his mandate and threatening democratic norms.
Speaking at a press conference in Lagos, the National Coordinator of Activists for Good Governance, Declan Ihekaire, alongside the group’s Secretary, Akintunde Adedeji, decried what they described as the Sole Administrator’s “impulsive and vindictive approach” to governance.
The group warned that the purported probe of suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his Deputy goes far beyond the parameters set for the emergency administration of the state.
“It is our consistent fear and strongly our avowal that every form of Emergency Rule tilts disproportionately towards the abuse of Executive power,” the Coalition said. “This is inimical to the spirit and tenets of democracy, and it is exactly what is happening in Rivers State today.”
They described the probe as “a clear exhibition of gross impulsiveness, unintelligent power drunkenness, and witch-hunt,” insisting that Fubara, though suspended, still retains certain privileges and immunities of his office.
“The Administrator must focus on what he has been asked to do—stabilise the State—not politicise or weaponise his position,” they said.
Criticising the Administrator’s leadership style, the Coalition accused him of fanning the flames of division and alienation.
“Rather than work towards alleviating the social challenges of the people of Rivers State, what the Sole Administrator has engaged in is alienating groups, creating sectional differences, political divisiveness, and ethnic segregation,” they alleged.
They further accused Ibas of acting as “a stooge and rubber stamp of self-serving politicians,” claiming his actions have made him part of the problem rather than the solution.
“Mr. President will be failing in his obligation if he does not act swiftly to tame the tide of overzealousness, clannish bickering, and power drunkenness demonstrated by the Rivers State Sole Administrator,” the group warned.
Questioning Ibas’ competence, they said: “This singular act reveals clearly that the Administrator has no business being there… he lacks the necessary capacity, competence, and capability to administer the State. Mr. President has equally made a serious mistake appointing him to that position.”
The Coalition urged the Sole Administrator to channel his concerns through the 11-man Committee recently set up by the House of Representatives to oversee legislative duties in the state, warning against any further “undemocratic tactics.”
“We call on Mr. President to expeditiously call the Sole Administrator of Rivers State to order and compel him to stop this probe thing as it goes beyond his script,” they concluded.
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