Ijaw Youth Council condemns Suspension of Rivers Appointees, calls it ‘Military Dictatorship'

The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide has strongly condemned the suspension of political appointees and statutory commission members in Rivers State by the state’s Sole Administrator, Retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas.  

Describing the move as a “full-blown military dictatorship, ”the group alleged that the suspension was a calculated effort to eliminate oversight and enable unchecked looting of state resources.  

In a statement issued on Wednesday, IYC Secretary-General Maobuoye Nangi-Obu accused the administrator of carrying out a deliberate plan to undermine democratic governance in Rivers State.  

According to Nangi-Obu, the suspension of top government officials including the Secretary to the State Government, the Chief of Staff, Commissioners, Board Members, and Special Advisers—was politically motivated and designed to consolidate power in the hands of a few individuals  

“The latest announcement by the Rivers State Administrator, Vice Admiral (Rtd) Ibok-Ete Ibas, suspending statutory commissions and boards with clear tenures is an affront to the rights of Rivers people. This reckless move, executed under the guise of presidential authority, is nothing short of a desperate attempt to remove all possible checks and balances to facilitate the looting of Rivers State’s resources.”

Nangi-Obu warned that the mass suspension of key government officials could plunge Rivers State into a political crisis, creating instability and disaffection among the people.  

“The people of Rivers State will not be deceived—this is not about governance; it is about consolidating power to continue the reckless looting of the state’s treasury.”

The IYC called on Rivers residents to resist what it described as an abuse of power and demanded an immediate reversal of the suspensions.  

“We demand an immediate reversal of this illegal suspension and a return to democratic governance. Rivers State must not be turned into the personal estate of a single individual and his cronies,” Nangi-Obu declared.  

With growing tension in Rivers State, this latest development has further deepened political uncertainty, raising concerns about the future of governance in the oil-rich region.