“Offer Fubara Equal Loyalty” — ‘Unconstitutional’ Ibas Swears In New Head Of Service Before Exit

The former Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Ibok-Ete Ibas, swore in Mrs. Inyingi Brown as the substantive Head of Service.

The swearing-in ceremony, which was held on Wednesday before his exit from office, saw Ibas officially supervise Brown’s swearing-in as the state’s new Head of Service.

Brown had been serving in an acting capacity since the resignation of the former Head of Service, George Nwaeke.

Speaking at the event, Ibas urged Brown to extend the same commitment she showed during his interim administration to Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

He said, “I charge you to offer Governor Siminalayi Fubara equal loyalty you gave to the interim administration when you served in an acting capacity.”

In his farewell speech, Ibas said his tenure delivered “milestones of progress” including the conduct of local government elections, reconstitution of statutory boards, and the passage of the state budget by the National Assembly.

He noted that governance was “a living process” that required vigilance, sacrifice, and dialogue, warning that “the exercise of power without restraint can cripple institutions, and rivalry without dialogue clearly endangers democracy.”

Tinubu, in March 2025, declared an end to the State of Emergency in Rivers State, following months of political turmoil that paralysed governance and threatened security in the oil-rich state.

The Nigerian leader also suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, the Deputy Governor, Ngozi Odu, and members of the state House of Assembly for six months in the first instance.

In place of the governor, the President appointed Ibas as Sole Administrator after dissolving political structures to restore order.

However, Tinubu, on Wednesday, formally declared an end to the State of Emergency in Rivers State, clearing the way for the return of full democratic governance in the state.

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