Rivers State Administrator Defies Court Order, Appoints LG and RISIEC Officials
In a bold move, the Interim Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Rt. Hon. Edison Ibas, has proceeded with the appointment of administrators for all 23 local government areas in the state, despite a standing court order barring the state government from making such appointments pending legal resolution.
List of Appointed Local Government Administrators
The following individuals have been appointed as administrators for their respective local government areas:
- Abua/Odual: Mr. Okroiyobi Animete
- Ahoada East: Mr. Goodluck M. Iheanacho
- Ahoada West: Mr. Promise Jacob
- Akuku Toru: Dr. Tamunotonye Peters
- Andoni: Surveyor Atajit Francis
- Asari-Toru: Barr. Ibiapuve Charles
- Bonny: Mr. Kingsley N. Banigo
- Degema: Dr. Sokari Ibifuro Francis
- Eleme: Dr. Gloria Obo-Dibiah
- Emohua: Barr. Franklin P. Ajinwon
- Etche: Dr. Onyenachi S. Nwankwor
- Gokana: Prof. Gospel G. Kpee
- Ikwerre: Mr. Isaiah Christian Nobuawu
- Khana: Dr. Barinedum Nwibere
- Obio/Akpor: Dr. Clifford Ndu Walter
- Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni: Dr. Chukwuma Aje
- Ogu/Bolo: Eliel Owubokiri
- Okrika: Mr. Thompson Isodiki
- Omuma: Manager Ikechi Wala
- Opobo/Nkoro: Mr. Fred Apiafi
- Oyigbo: Mr. Eletuoo Iheanacho
- Port Harcourt: Dr. Sam Kalagbor
- Tai: Mr. Nuka O.S. Gbpiah
RISIEC Appointees
In addition to the local government appointments, Ibas also announced the appointment of members to the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RISIEC):
- Chairman: Dr. Michael Ekpai Odey
- Members:
- Mr. Lezaasi Lenee Torbira
- Prof. (Dr.) Arthur Nwafor
- Prof. Godfrey Woke Mbgudiohga
- Prof. (Dame) Joyce Akaninwor
- Dr. (Mrs.) Olive A. Bruce
- Prof. Chidi Halliday
Concerns Over Executive Overreach
The appointments have sparked concerns over executive overreach and disregard for judicial authority. A recent court order mandated RISIEC to conduct local government elections, with Justice I.P.C. Igwe directing the commission to proceed with the polls and ensuring adequate security measures. The court’s ruling also emphasized the importance of adhering to the 1999 Constitution and the Rivers State Local Government Electoral Law No. 3 of 2018 [1].
