Emergency rule: Rivers HoS resigns, as Sole Administrator appoints new SSG
Rivers State experienced yet another major shake-up in its political leadership on Tuesday as the Head of Service (HoS), George Nwaeke, formally resigned from his position.
The announcement was conveyed through a statement issued by the Chief of Staff to the state’s Sole Administrator, Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas.
According to NewsDirect, Nwaeke, who served under the suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, officially stepped down, further underscoring the ongoing political turmoil that has gripped Rivers State in recent weeks.
His resignation follows a sequence of developments that led to the suspension of Fubara and the entire state House of Assembly, along with his deputy, Ngozi Odu, under directives from President Bola Tinubu.
The Sole Administrator, Ibas, expressed appreciation for Nwaeke’s service, acknowledging his tenure during a turbulent period.
Similarly, Ibas appointed Professor Ibibi Worika as the new Secretary to the State Government (SSG).
Meanwhile, Professor Worika has assumed office with immediate effect and has been tasked with contributing to efforts aimed at fostering stability, security, and peace in Rivers State.
“The appointment of Professor Worika reflects our dedication to leveraging the expertise of Rivers State’s human resources in realising our vision for peace and progress,” the statement read in part.
It is worth recalling that this reshuffle follows President Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State on 18 March, in response to the escalating political crisis.
In his address, the President condemned both Governor Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, accusing them of allowing the political situation to deteriorate beyond control.
He specifically criticised Fubara for failing to take decisive action following the destruction of an oil facility within the state.
Ibas, a retired general, was subsequently appointed as the state’s sole administrator to restore stability. The crisis peaked when the state’s House of Assembly, led by Speaker Martin Amaewhule, issued Governor Fubara with a notice of gross misconduct.
The allegations against Fubara included financial mismanagement, interference with legislative proceedings, and making unauthorised appointments.
His tenure was further destabilised by a Supreme Court ruling that nullified the recent local government elections he conducted, while the Central Bank of Nigeria was instructed to withhold Rivers State’s statutory allocation.
Tensions continue to rise between Fubara and Wike over control of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) structure within the state.
