Federal High Court Bars Rivers Sole Administrator From Appointing Sole Administrators In LGAs
A Federal High Court in Port Harcourt has issued an order barring the Rivers State Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok Ekwe Ibas, from appointing Sole Administrators to run the 23 local council areas in the state. The order was delivered on April 8, 2025, by Justice Adamu Turaki Muhammed in Suit No. FHC/PH/CS/46/2025.
The case was filed by PILEX Centre for Civic Education Initiative, led by Courage Msirimovu, against the Sole Administrator in his official capacity. The motion exparte, filed on March 28, 2025, sought several reliefs, including an order of interim injunction restraining the respondent or his agents from appointing Sole Administrators or whatever name called for the 23 LGAs.
Justice Muhammed found enough reason to grant the prayers and fixed April 14, 2025, for hearing. This decision comes amid a complex political situation in Rivers State, where the tenure of elected local council chairmen who worked with former Governor Nyesom Wike ended in June 2023.
However, they secured what they called term elongation from the 27 defected lawmakers loyal to Wike. The Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) fixed an election for October 5, 2024, but the All Progressives Congress (APC) faction loyal to Wike took RSIEC to court. The election went ahead despite the lawsuit.
When the matter ended at the Supreme Court on February 28, 2025, in favor of the Wike-backed APC led by Tony Okocha, the governor removed the elected chairmen that had been nullified and asked heads of local council administration to take over pending a fresh election.
This decision was met with resistance from the APC led by Okocha and the Martin Amaewhule-led defected lawmakers, who mounted a hunt for the RSIEC chairman. The State of Emergency was subsequently declared with the coming of a Sole Administrator.
The Fubara camp alleges that the Sole Administrator was heading toward appointing administrators to run the LGAs, despite the constitutional prohibition. Each camp is wary of manning the LGAs with persons loyal to the other camp.
The decision by the PILEX Centre to secure a court order may indicate that they believe those penciled down are from the Wike camp, which has welcomed the state of emergency and hailed the Sole Administrator.
This development highlights the ongoing power struggle between the two camps and the need for the court to intervene in ensuring that the governance of Rivers State remains within the bounds of the law.
In conclusion, the Federal High Court's decision to bar the Rivers State Sole Administrator from appointing Sole Administrators in LGAs is a significant development in the ongoing crisis in the state. The court's ruling underscores the importance of constitutional governance and the rule of law, particularly in times of emergency.
As the situation continues to unfold, it is essential to monitor the actions of the Sole Administrator and ensure that they are in line with the Constitution and the laws of the land. The proposed oversight committee will likely play a crucial role in ensuring that the governance of Rivers State remains within the bounds of the law during the state of emergency.
The key players in this crisis include Vice Admiral Ibok Ekwe Ibas, the Sole Administrator of Rivers State; Courage Msirimovu, leader of PILEX Centre for Civic Education Initiative; Nyesom Wike, former Governor of Rivers State; Tony Okocha, leader of the Wike-backed APC; and Martin Amaewhule, leader of the defected lawmakers.
The court's decision is a significant development in the ongoing crisis in Rivers State, and it remains to be seen how the situation will unfold in the coming days. The people of Rivers State are eagerly waiting for a resolution to this crisis, and it is hoped that the court will play a crucial role in ensuring that the governance of the state remains within the bounds of the law.
In recent years, Nigeria has faced numerous challenges related to governance and the rule of law. The court's decision in this case is a significant step in ensuring that the governance of Rivers State is carried out in accordance with the Constitution and the laws of the land.
The situation in Rivers State is a complex one, with multiple stakeholders and interests involved. However, as the court's decision shows, the judiciary is committed to ensuring that the governance of the state is carried out in a manner that is consistent with the Constitution and the laws of the land.
In conclusion, the Federal High Court's decision to bar the Rivers State Sole Administrator from appointing Sole Administrators in LGAs is a significant development in the ongoing crisis in the state. The court's ruling underscores the importance of constitutional governance and the rule of law, particularly in times of emergency. As the situation continues to unfold, it is essential to monitor the actions of the Sole Administrator and ensure that they are in line with the Constitution and the laws of
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