A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Lawrence Oko-Jaja, has issued a stern warning to Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), the Sole Administrator of Rivers State, accusing him of overstepping constitutional boundaries and risking a breakdown of law and order in the state.
In an impassioned statement captured in a YouTube video titled “Rivers Sole Administrator Provoking The People,” Jaja condemned the administrator’s recent actions, including the appointment of sole administrators for all 23 local government areas (LGAs) and the reconstitution of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), describing them as unconstitutional and provocative.
Jaja, a resident of Port Harcourt, began by asserting that Rivers State has remained peaceful, negating any justification for the state of emergency declared by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. “I live in Port Harcourt, I move around Port Harcourt, the state is peaceful and has remained so,” he said. “There wouldn’t have been any need to declare a state of emergency in Rivers State in the first place.”
He acknowledged that Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution allows for a state of emergency but argued that it does not permit the suspension of democratic institutions like the governor, deputy governor, or the House of Assembly. Citing former President Goodluck Jonathan’s precedent, Jaja noted that past emergencies did not involve such suspensions. “It was unconstitutional for the President to overreach himself by declaring a state of emergency and suspending the governor and deputy governor,” he stated.
The SAN then turned his ire on Vice Admiral Ibas, whom he described as a “military sole administrator” overreaching his mandate. Jaja pointed to the gazette outlining the administrator’s powers, specifically Article 3, which limits the suspension to the offices of the governor, deputy governor, and House of Assembly. “The state shall be administered by Vice Admiral (retd.) as Sole Administrator, who shall operate on the basis of regulations issued by the President,” he quoted, emphasizing that no regulation has been issued authorizing the dismantling of democratic structures or the appointment of local government administrators.
“This morning, he has gone ahead to appoint sole administrators of the local governments and members of RSIEC,” Jaja said. “These are unconstitutional actions not covered by the gazette.” He warned that such moves threaten the peace Rivers State has enjoyed, stating, “I do hope his actions will not lead to a breakdown of law and order because we want peace in Rivers State.”
Jaja further highlighted a Supreme Court ruling that declared the appointment of sole administrators for local governments illegal, a decision he said was respected when elected council chairmen vacated their posts in favor of senior officers. “This appointment of sole administrators is antithetical to the Supreme Court’s decision, the Constitution, and does not bode well for democracy, justice, or good order,” he argued. “It’s not too late for him to retrace his steps so we can continue to enjoy the peace we have in this state.”
Adding weight to his critique, Jaja referenced a Federal High Court injunction issued on April 9, 2025, in suit number FHC/PH/CS/46/2025 (Plex Center for Civic Education v. Sole Administrator), restraining Ibas from appointing sole administrators. “He has flouted the order of a court of competent jurisdiction,” Jaja said, urging the administrator to respect the rule of law. “Our state should not be seen as a lawless state but one governed by law and order.”
The SAN also called on the National Assembly, which approved the President’s emergency proclamation, to intervene. “They did not donate such powers to him,” he said. “It’s high time the National Assembly calls him to order so they can be seen as enforcing the rule of law.”
In closing, Jaja advised Ibas to reconsider his actions and urged Rivers residents to remain peaceful despite the “trying and tempting times.” “My advice to him, if he listens, is to retrace his steps,” he concluded. “And to Rivers people, be peaceful and law-abiding.”
The post “Sole Administrator Overstepping Constitutional Boundaries” — Oko-Jaja SAN Warns Of Dire Consequences, Provoking The People appeared first on TheNigeriaLawyer.