The suspension of political appointees and boards of statutory commissions and boards in Rivers State by the state administrator, retired vice admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, has been denounced by Maobuoye Nangi-Obu, secretary-general of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide.
The group called the action a “full-blown military dictatorship” and claimed it was an attempt to allow unbridled
plunder of public funds.
Nangi-Obu claimed in a statement released on Wednesday that the Administrator is carrying out a deliberate plot to
undermine the state’s democratic administration.
He claimed that in order for politicians to keep control of Rivers State, important government officials were
suspended, including the Secretary to the State Government, the Chief of Staff, Commissioners, Board Members, and Special Advisers.
“The latest announcement by the Rivers State Administrator, Vice Admiral (Rtd) Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, suspending
statutory commissions and boards with clear tenures in Rivers State, is an affront to the rights of Rivers people and
nothing short of a full-blown military dictatorship in action.
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“This reckless move, executed under the guise of presidential authority, is a desperate attempt to remove all possible
checks and balances to facilitate the looting of Rivers State’s resources,” Obu stated.
He further emphasised that the action might cause a political crisis in the state and that it would lead to instability
and disenchantment among the populace if lawful government officials were ignored.
“The people of Rivers State will not be deceived—this is not about governance; it is about consolidating power to
continue the reckless looting of the state’s treasury,” Obu said.
The IYC Secretary-General asked that the suspension be immediately lifted and urged Rivers citizens to oppose what
he described as an “abuse of power.”
At the expense of the populace, he underlined, Rivers State must not be transformed into the private property of a
select group of political figures.
The group demanded an immediate reversal of this illegal suspension and a return to democratic governance, stating
that Rivers State must not be turned into the personal estate of a single individual and his cronies.
