Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), has called on President Bola Tinubu to dismiss the Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-ete Ibas (rtd.), over alleged violation of a presidential directive. On Thursday, the senior advocate argued that the retired naval officer acted in breach of the provisions outlined in the Official Gazette dated March 18, 2025, titled State of Emergency (Rivers State) Proclamation, 2025. Falana said in the gazette, stated very clearly that the sole administrator “shall operate on the basis of such Regulations that may, from time to time, be issued by me (Tinubu).” “It is common knowledge that President Bola Tinubu has not issued any Regulation for the operation of the Sole Administrator. But, the Sole Administrator has made appointments and removed officials appointed by Governor Siminalayi Fubara. “By treating the orders of President Bola Tinubu with contempt, the Sole Administrator has compounded the illegality of his appointment. The Sole Administrator ought to be removed without any further delay,” Falana said. President Bola Tinubu appointed Vice Admiral Ibok-ete Ibas (rtd.) as the Sole Administrator of Rivers State on March 18, 2025, following the declaration of a state of emergency in the state. This move came alongside the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu, and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly. Citing Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution, Tinubu explained that he could not remain passive while the political crisis in Rivers continued to worsen. In response to recent developments, the House of Representatives Ad-Hoc Committee on Rivers State summoned Ibas to Abuja for a “comprehensive interactive session.” Ibas, who served as Nigeria’s Chief of Naval Staff from 2015 to 2021, hails from Cross River State, where he was also educated in his early years.