By Maureen Dick
RIVERS State Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd), has announced the suspension of all political office holders and appointees with effect from March 26, 2025.
Those suspended were Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Chief of Staff, Commissioners, chairmen and members of all boards, councils of agencies, commissions, institutions and parastatals.
Others affected included special advisers, special assistants and senior special assistants.
The announcement which was signed by the Chief of Staff to the Sole Administrator, said the suspension of all affected officers was pursuant the the powers conferred on the sole administrator of the state, Vice Admiral Ibas, by President Bola Tinubu.
The announcement directed the affected officers to hand over to the permanent secretaries in their Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).
According to the announcement, where there may not be permanent secretary, the officers should hand over to the most senior director/head of administration.
The sole administrator took this step barely 24 hours after he made two strategic appointments – the new SSG, Professor Ibibia Worika and acting Head of Service, Dr. Iyingi Brown, following the resignation of the State Head of Service, Dr. George Nwaeke.