Government Shake-Up: Tinubu-Backed Move Suspends Top Officials in Rivers State

On Wednesday, the Chief of Staff to the Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (Rtd.) confirmed that the recent decision was executed using the authority bestowed upon Ibas by President Bola Tinubu.

In an official announcement, it was revealed that a number of senior government officials have been suspended. The list of affected personnel spans across several tiers of the state’s administrative structure, including the Secretary to the State Government, the Chief of Staff, all commissioners, as well as the chairpersons and members of various boards, agencies, commissions, and parastatals.

Additionally, all individuals holding the positions of Special Adviser, Special Assistant, and Senior Special Assistant are included in this directive.

The announcement further detailed that the suspended officials are required to immediately transfer their operational responsibilities to the Permanent Secretaries of their respective ministries, departments, and agencies. In instances where a ministry does not have a designated Permanent Secretary, the responsibility will fall to the highest-ranking Director or the Head of Administration available to oversee the transition.

This move, rooted in the powers granted by President Tinubu, appears to be part of a broader administrative restructuring.