Sara-Igbe Asserts Ibas Lacks Authority To Dismiss Commissioners

Sara-Igbe Asserts Ibas Lacks Authority To Dismiss Commissioners

Anabs Sara-Igbe, a member of the Rivers State Elders and Leaders Council and former spokesperson for the Pan Niger Delta Forum, has strongly argued that the appointment of Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.) as Sole Administrator of Rivers State by President Bola Tinubu is unlawful.

Sara-Igbe expressed concern over the withholding of the state’s allocation, which was reportedly due to Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s failure to present the state budget. Despite this, funds were released to Ibas, whom Sara-Igbe claims holds an unconstitutional position. Ibas had recently announced the suspension of key political appointees of Governor Fubara, including the Secretary to the State Government and several commissioners….READ MORE….

In an interview with Punch, Sara-Igbe criticized Ibas’s actions, stressing the legal implications of his role. He referenced a Supreme Court ruling that prohibited payments to Fubara until he presented the state budget, a situation that led to attempts to impeach Fubara, though these efforts ultimately failed.

Sara-Igbe argued that the Constitution does not grant a sole administrator the powers to perform the functions of a governor. As such, Ibas has no authority to dismiss commissioners or appoint local government administrators. He further pointed out that the Supreme Court had already ruled that local government administrators must be elected, not appointed, and that Ibas’s appointment contradicts this ruling.

He also raised concerns about President Tinubu’s approval for the release of funds to Ibas, which he described as a violation of the Supreme Court’s ruling, suggesting it was an act of contempt. Sara-Igbe expressed alarm at the unconstitutional actions being carried out by prominent leaders, including President Tinubu, former Governor Nyesom Wike, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and former Speaker of the House of Representatives Femi Gbajabiamila. He warned that these actions are not sustainable and that those involved will eventually have to account for their decisions.

Sara-Igbe continued to question the legality of local government elections, asserting that the statutory notice period had not been met, making such elections impossible. He concluded by asserting that all actions taken under Ibas’s leadership are illegal and will be challenged in due course, emphasizing that those responsible for these decisions will be held accountable for their misuse of state resources.