Rivers’ New Boss Ibas Storms National Economic MeetingAbuja

Rivers State’s Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd), made a bold entrance at the National Economic Council (NEC) meeting in Abuja on April 24, 2025, stepping into a room packed with Nigeria’s top leaders. Appointed by President Bola Tinubu after suspending Governor Siminalayi Fubara in March, Ibas’s presence signals Rivers’ ongoing political drama is far from over. For Nigerians, this is a big moment showing who’s calling the shots in the oil-rich state.The meeting, held at the Presidential Villa, was led by Vice President Kashim Shettima, who chairs the NEC, Nigeria’s key group for planning the country’s economy and tackling big issues like security. Big names like Governors Hyacinth Alia of Benue, Abdulrahman Abdulrazak of Kwara, Monday Okpebholo of Edo, Bassey Otu of Cross River, Alex Otti of Abia, and Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta, who recently jumped from PDP to APC, were there. Some deputy governors also joined, making it a powerhouse gathering to discuss Nigeria’s future, including the rising killings in places like Plateau and calls for state police.Ibas, a former Navy chief, was picked by Tinubu to calm Rivers’ chaos after a two-year feud between Fubara and FCT Minister Nyesom Wike tore governance apart, with rival Assembly sessions and violence threats. His job is to restore peace, fix government services, and set the stage for democracy by September 2025. His NEC appearance, his first since taking over, shows he’s acting like a governor, making decisions for Rivers on a national stage. For Nigerians, this means Rivers’ oil money and stability are under Ibas’s watch, which affects everyone since the state powers much of Nigeria’s economy.The meeting focused on urgent problems like insecurity, with over 100 deaths in Plateau this month alone, and ideas to let states have their own police. Ibas’s role there shows he’s not just fixing local issues but helping shape Nigeria’s big plans. Unlike most news that just names who showed up, this moment reveals Tinubu’s grip on Rivers, a state too vital to fail. But it’s not all smooth—critics like Femi Falana and Atiku Abubakar slam Ibas’s appointment as undemocratic, and a court order tried to stop him from naming local government heads, which he did anyway, sparking anger from Fubara’s supporters.How this plays out is anyone’s guess. Ibas has Tinubu’s backing, but Rivers’ people are watching closely, worried about their voice in a state run by one man. Posts on X show mixed feelings—some call Ibas’s moves “illegal,” others see him as a steady hand. For now, his NEC debut proves he’s a major player, but whether he brings peace or more trouble depends on his next steps.