By CHARLES IWUOHA
Pandemonium has been reported at the Rivers Government House in Port Harcourt, with angry aides of departing Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (Rtd), creating a scene over allegedly outstanding allowances and entitlements.
A source at the Government House told News Express that the “showdown” took place this Wednesday morning, September 17, 2025.
“The aides are furious that the Sole Administrator, who is billed to hand over power to suspended Governor Sim Fubara tomorrow, was attempting to pack out of office without settling their allowances and entitlements.
“Shouts filled the air as aides and even some of his security detail wailed openly, accusing Ibas of trying to “sneak away” with Rivers State’s wealth while leaving them empty-handed,” the source said.
He disclosed that the scene grew so tense that top officials at the Government House had to intervene to restore calm. “They made frantic appeals, begging the angry aides to calm down with vague assurances that ‘something will be done’ before the protesters agreed to give peace a chance,” the source added.
News Express reports that Ibas was appointed for a six-month tenure by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the height of the Rivers political crisis between Governor Fubara and his political godfather, FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, but calm recently returned to the polity with the reconciliation of the two gladiators by the President. (News Express)
