PORTHARCOURT: The Administrator of Rivers State, Retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, has approved the appointment of new administrators for the 23 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the state. This decision also includes the reconstitution of certain boards of agencies, commissions, and parastatals that were previously suspended.
The announcement was made by the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Ibibia Worika, stating that the appointments will take effect from Monday, April 7, 2025.
The appointed administrators for the 23 LGAs are as follows:
Mr. Okroiyobi Animiete – Abua/Odual LGA
Mr. Goodluck M. Ihenacho – Ahoada East LGA
Mr. Promise Jacob – Ahoada West LGA
Dr. Tamunotonye Peters – Akuku Toru LGA
Surveyor Atajit Francis – Andoni LGA
Barrister Ibiapuve Charles – Asari Toru LGA
Mr. Kingsley N. Banigo – Bonny LGA
Dr. Sokari Ibifuro Francis – Degema LGA
Dr. Gloria Obo Dibiah – Eleme LGA
Barr. Franklin P. Ajinwon – Emohua LGA
Dr. Onyemachi S. Nwankwor – Etche LGA
Prof. Gospel G. Kpee – Gokana LGA
Mr. Isaiah Christian Nobuawu – Ikwerre LGA
Dr. Barinedum Nwibere – Khana LGA
Dr. Clifford Ndu Walter – Obio Akpor LGA
Dr. Chukwuma Aje – Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA
Eliel Owubokiri – Ogu/Bolo LGA
Mr. Thompson Isodiki – Okrika LGA
Manager Ikechi Wala – Omuma LGA
Mr. Fred Apiafi – Opobo/Nkoro LGA
Eletuuo Ihianacho – Oyigbo LGA
Dr. Sam Kalagbor – Port Harcourt LGA
Mr. Nuka O. S. Gbipah – Tai LGA
Also, the following individuals have been appointed as Chairman and members of the Rivers State Electoral Commission:
Dr. Michael Ekpai Odey – Chairman
Mr. Lezaasi Lenee Torbira – Member
Prof. Author Nwafor – Member
Prof. Godfrey Woke Mbgudiogha – Member
Prof. Joyce Akaninwor – Member
Dr. Olive A. Bruce – Member
Prof. Chidi Halliday – Member
These appointments follow the Supreme Court ruling that declared the local government election held on October 5, 2024, as invalid.
This development comes just hours after a Federal High Court in Port Harcourt scheduled a hearing for April 14, 2025, regarding a lawsuit filed by human rights lawyer Courage Nsirimovu of the Pilex Centre for Civic Education Initiative. Nsirimovu is seeking to prevent the appointment of new LGA administrators in the state.
Justice Adamu Mohammed, presiding over the case, did not issue a restraining order but directed that the Rivers State Administrator be notified to appear and explain why the request to stop the appointments should not be granted.
