The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) has strongly condemned the recent suspension of political appointees and statutory commissions in Rivers State by Retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, the state’s appointed administrator.
In a statement released on Wednesday, IYC Secretary-General Maobuoye Nangi-Obu described the move as “a clear and undiluted example of military dictatorship,” asserting that it was designed to eliminate checks and balances, thereby enabling unchecked exploitation of state resources.
The suspension follows President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, which resulted in the six-month suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the state legislature amid political turmoil and incidents of pipeline vandalism. Retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas was appointed as the state’s military administrator during this period, with the judiciary remaining functional.
Criticism of the decision has also come from the Nigerian Bar Association, which has labeled the suspension of elected officials as unconstitutional. The association emphasized that a state of emergency does not automatically dissolve or suspend a democratically elected government.
The IYC has consistently opposed policies and decisions perceived as detrimental to the Niger Delta region. In November 2024, the council condemned the federal government’s decision to dissolve the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, arguing that the region requires specialized programs and intervention agencies to address its unique challenges. The council urged President Tinubu to reinstate the ministry and implement further developmental initiatives.
Additionally, the Ijaw National Congress (INC) has denounced a federal high court ruling that directed the Central Bank of Nigeria to withhold federal allocations to Rivers State. INC President Professor Benjamin Okaba described the judgment as “judicial rascality” and a violation of federal principles, warning that continued legal and political pressure against the state government could lead to severe consequences.
The IYC has called for the immediate reversal of the suspension of political appointees in Rivers State, warning that the move undermines democratic governance and risks turning the state into the personal domain of a select few political actors.
