A coalition of civil society organisations under the Civic Room for Rule of Law has joined growing calls for the immediate removal of Rivers State’s Sole Administrator, Ibok-ete Ibas.
Their position follows public outrage over Ibas’ alleged unconstitutional sacking of officials appointed by Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
The civic coalition, in a statement issued Tuesday, April 22, by its president, Maxwell Egboh, accused Ibas of defying both the rule of law and presidential directives.
According to the group, “The Sole Administrator’s arbitrary decisions have created an atmosphere of uncertainty and tension, which can only be resolved by his immediate removal.”
The statement continued, “We urge President Tinubu to take swift and decisive action to address this situation and uphold the law.”
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The coalition also praised the House of Representatives Ad-Hoc Committee on Rivers State for summoning the Sole Administrator, and called for a full investigation into his conduct.
Human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, on Thursday, April 17, urged the federal government to remove Ibas, arguing that the administrator had violated the country’s constitutional order.
Falana was particularly critical of Ibas’ recent appointments and dismissals of public officials, which he said contravened established legal processes.
He also referenced a Federal Government Gazette issued by President Bola Tinubu, which clearly stated that Ibas could only act “on the basis of regulations that may, from time to time be issued” by the President.