The leading grassroots group supporting Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, the Simplified Movement Worldwide, has welcomed Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd) as the newly appointed Sole Administrator of Rivers State.
This follows the Emergency Rule declared by President Bola Tinubu.
On Tuesday, Tinubu suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and all members of the State House of Assembly. He also appointed retired Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, as the state’s sole administrator.
Both the Senate and the House of Representatives ratified the emergency rule on Thursday, following a debate on the matter.
Reacting in a statement signed by its Director General, Evans Bipi, the group expressed confidence in Ibas’ leadership, citing his vast experience as a former Chief of Naval Staff and Nigeria’s immediate past High Commissioner to Ghana.
However, the group strongly rejected claims by Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, who suggested that the Emergency Rule was imposed due to rising insecurity in Rivers State.
The Simplified Movement described these claims as “baseless and fallacious,” insisting that the state remained largely peaceful under Governor Fubara despite ongoing political tensions.
The group argued that the President may have been misled into declaring the Emergency Rule and stressed that Governor Fubara had remained committed to the rule of law. According to the statement, the governor made several attempts to present the 2025 budget to the Rivers State House of Assembly, in line with a Supreme Court ruling, but faced resistance.
“The Governor was denied access to the Assembly Quarters despite formally notifying lawmakers of his intention to present the budget. Even after scheduling a third attempt for March 19, the House rebuffed the invitation, only for the Emergency Rule to be declared on the night of March 18,” the statement read.
The group accused the Assembly of deliberately blocking the governor’s efforts, suggesting that their true objective was impeachment rather than legislative oversight.
Reaffirming its support for Fubara, the Simplified Movement portrayed him as a victim of political power struggles aimed at controlling the state’s resources.
“Your Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, an epitome of Nigeria’s democracy, rest assured that the Simplified Movement Worldwide, the most formidable socio-political movement in Rivers State and beyond, stands solidly behind you,” the statement concluded.
The group also called for continued prayers for the governor and urged peace amid the ongoing political crisis.
