The suspended Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, has been summoned to appear before the state’s Sole Administrator as part of an official inquiry into appointments made during his two-year tenure.
In a formal notice issued on Tuesday, the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Ibibia Lucky Worika, announced that Vice Admiral (Rtd.) Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, CFR, who was recently appointed Sole Administrator, had directed Sir Fubara and his Deputy, Dr Ngozi Ordu, to present themselves at the Rivers State Government House in Port Harcourt on Friday, April 18, 2025.
The inquiry is focused on scrutinising the rationale, procedures, and legality of key appointments made during the Fubara administration. It is also expected to offer the suspended governor an opportunity to defend his record in office and argue the case for his reinstatement.
According to the announcement, both Sir Fubara and Dr Ordu are expected to attend the session in person. They have been instructed to bring with them all relevant documentation and records pertaining to government appointments under their leadership.
The statement reads: “Sir Fubara is directed to present all relevant documents and records pertaining to appointments, including justifications and procedures followed during his tenure. The session will also serve as an opportunity for the suspended Governor to provide a clear and detailed explanation as to why he believes he should be reinstated to office.”
The inquiry will take place at 10:00 a.m. in the Conference Room of the Government House. Attendance, the government stressed, is mandatory.
The move forms part of what the Sole Administrator has described as a broader effort to restore transparency, accountability, and lasting peace to governance in the oil-rich but politically turbulent state.
Vice Admiral Ibas, a former Chief of Naval Staff, was appointed Sole Administrator amid an escalating political crisis that led to the suspension of Fubara’s administration earlier this year. His mandate, backed by the federal government, includes stabilising the state’s political institutions and ensuring a credible audit of past governance decisions.
Though details of the specific appointments under scrutiny have not been publicly disclosed, analysts believe the inquiry may focus on allegations of nepotism and irregular recruitment processes, which had dogged the Fubara administration in its final months.
Fubara, a former Accountant-General of Rivers State, came to power in 2023 with the backing of influential political figures but has since seen his political support erode following a dramatic fallout with key allies. His suspension was formalised earlier this year after weeks of tension with the State Assembly and senior civil.
I never summoned Fubara, deputy – Ibas
The Sole Administrator of Rivers State, denied the report, describing it as “false and misleading.”
In an official statement issued on Wednesday by the Permanent Secretary, Office of the Secretary to the State Government, Dede Friday, Ibas described the reports as “fraudulent announcements” deliberately spread to incite unrest.
“The Rivers State Government has become aware of fraudulent announcements circulating on social media, falsely attributed to the Office of the Secretary to the State Government.
“These malicious fabrications are designed to mislead the public, create panic, and disrupt the peace in Rivers State.
“One such false report claimed that Governor Fubara and his deputy had been summoned to the Government House to explain certain appointments and other state matters,” the statement read.
The government dismissed this as fake, emphasizing that it did not come from any official source.
“The Rivers State Government categorically states that this announcement is fake and did not originate from any official source.
“The public is urged to disregard this and any similar misinformation, as they are the work of troublemakers seeking to destabilise the state,” the statement added.
To combat further misinformation, the government urged the public to rely solely on verified channels for information.
These include the official Rivers State Government website (www.riversstate.gov.ng), authorized social media pages such as the Rivers State Government Facebook page, press releases from the Governor’s Office and the SSG, and approved traditional media outlets.
Citizens were also encouraged to verify all information before sharing and to maintain calm during this sensitive political period.
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