Coalition backs call to sack Rivers Sole Administrator Ibas

By Jude Opara

A coalition of civil society groups under the aegis of Civic Room for Rule of Law, has thrown its weight behind the call for the immediate removal of the Rivers State’s Sole Administrator, Ibok-ete Ibas.

Peoples Daily reports that Ibas’ alleged excesses, particularly the sacking of Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s appointees, has continued to trigger anger across the country.

Femi Falana, a human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria on Thursday called on the Nigerian government to immediately remove Ibas, citing a breach of constitutional procedure.

Falana was reacting particularly to the appointments and removal of some government officials by the Sole administrator.

The lawyer also referenced the official Federal Government Gazette previously released by President Tinubu, which outlined the terms governing the operations of the Sole Administrator.

According to the document, President Tinubu stated that Ibas can only operate on the basis of “regulations that may, from time to time be issued” by him.

Citing some recent activities of the Sole administrator, the coalition in a statement issued on Tuesday by its president, Maxwell Egboh, claimed that Ibas disregarded the rule of law and breached the presidential orders.

The coalition expressed concern over the implications of the Sole administrator’s actions of removing government officials without presidential order.

“The Sole Administrator’s arbitrary decisions have created an atmosphere of uncertainty and tension, which can only be resolved by his immediate removal.

“We urge President Tinubu to take swift and decisive action to address this situation and uphold the law”, the statement added.

The coalition lauded the Ad-Hoc Committee of the House of Representatives on Rivers State for summoning the Sole administrator, urging the green chamber to thoroughly investigate his actions.