Professor Anthony Agbazuere, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and constitutional lawyer, has accused Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (Rtd), the ‘Unconstitutional’ Sole Administrator of Rivers State, of exceeding his mandate, alleging that even the administrator’s wife has taken over the role of the governor’s spouse. He criticized the ongoing state of emergency as unconstitutional during an Arise TV News Night interview.
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Agbazuere launched a scathing critique of the ‘Unconstitutional’ Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (Rtd), asserting that his actions, including the removal of statutory appointees, exceed the powers granted under the controversial state of emergency declared by President Bola Tinubu on March 18, 2025. Speaking on News Night, Agbazuere argued that the administrator’s tenure lacks legal backing due to procedural lapses in its approval, pointing to an eyebrow-raising detail: “Even the wife of that administrator has taken over the office of the wife of the governor—that is funny and petty.”
Agbazuere linked the administrator’s overreach to broader constitutional violations, citing Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution, which he described as “inferior” to Sections 188 and 189 governing the removal of governors. He emphasized that the National Assembly’s approval of the emergency via a voice vote—rather than the required two-thirds majority of 240 House members and 73 senators—rendered it invalid.
“That proclamation has ceased to have effect… he is there now, not covered by the provisions of the Nigerian Constitution,” Agbazuere stated, urging Tinubu to revoke it under Section 305(6)(a) or for the Assembly to do so by a simple majority under Section 305(6)(d).
The professor’s remarks escalated when he addressed the administrator’s wife allegedly assuming the role traditionally held by the spouse of suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara. “He has already removed the governor’s pictures everywhere in the state, and now even the wife of that administrator has taken over the office of the wife of the governor,” he said, calling it a sign of an agenda to extend the emergency and sow confusion.
“That should tell you that it’s an agenda… they are now trying to take steps to ensure that this state of emergency will be extended or cannot even be stopped.”
Agbazuere dismissed the ‘Unconstitutional’ administrator’s focus on financial probes—such as the mentioned N15 billion issue—over peacekeeping, arguing that it contradicts Tinubu’s intent. “The president talked about peace… instead, he’s now talking about N15 billion, he’s not talking about probing local governments. He wants to create problems and confusion against the peace that Mr. President appointed him for,” he said.
He called on Rivers stakeholders, including Fubara and FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, to prioritize reconciliation, warning that “this kind of politics they are playing is not going to take them anywhere.”
Responding to allegations from former Head of Service Dr. George Nweke—which Fubara has dismissed as politically motivated lies—Agbazuere questioned their plausibility given Nweke’s role. “A governor wants to give you money… who is a Head of Service to know when he’s giving you money?” he asked, drawing from his own experience as a former commissioner and chief of staff. He urged the people of Rivers State to “allow peace in their state” and respect Tinubu’s democratic intentions, despite what he sees as a misstep in the emergency declaration.
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