Fresh crisis is brewing in Rivers as Ibas has been accused of withholding ₦200 million and forcing council boss to resign.
Tensions have escalated in Rivers State amid fresh allegations that the Sole Administrator of the state, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd), withheld ₦200 million from the monthly allocation of Ahoada East Local Government Area.
According to reports by The Guardian, the controversy emerged in the aftermath of a violent incident involving the council’s embattled administrator, Goodluck Ihenacho, who was allegedly assaulted and forced to resign under duress.
The development has deepened the already charged political climate in the state, which has been reeling from a protracted rift between loyalists of suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara and allies of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike.
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A voice note reportedly shared by the Chief Security Officer (CSO) of Ahoada East LGA, Hector Ekeakita, claimed that Ihenacho’s brutal treatment was politically motivated, stemming from his perceived alignment with the “Simplified Family” — a faction loyal to Fubara.
“Goodluck was tortured and forced to sign a prepared resignation letter because he was fraternising with members of the Simplified Family and was about to employ a youth loyal to Fubara,” Ekeakita said in the message shared on the Rivers Police Command’s WhatsApp group.
Ekeakita, who was among those summoned by the police, condemned the attack as “barbaric,” warning that such tactics were alien to local politics.
A disturbing video circulated over the weekend confirmed the assault, showing Ihenacho seated on the floor in his office, surrounded by armed youths who reportedly compelled him to sign a resignation letter.
The Rivers State Police Command has since confirmed the incident and launched an investigation. While Ihenacho’s resignation has yet to be officially validated, Ekeakita denied involvement in the attack, insisting the mob consisted of angry residents demanding financial accountability.
He seized the moment to accuse Vice Admiral Ibas of financial impropriety, claiming massive discrepancies in the LGA’s revenue declaration over two months.
“In April, Mr. Ihenacho received ₦800 million but only declared ₦700 million. In May, he got ₦600 million plus over ₦100 million from excess crude, yet declared just ₦500 million. Let Ibas tell the public whether or not he collected the council’s money,” Ekeakita said.
He alleged that only ₦41 million was left for council operations in the past two months, calling for urgent transparency and financial accountability from the state-appointed administrator.
Ekeakita also criticised Ihenacho’s leadership, accusing him of neglecting key responsibilities such as sanitation and local security, which he said sparked public outrage and likely contributed to the mob action.
“He abandoned the basics of governance, and the people reacted. But that still doesn’t justify the violence,” he added.
This latest crisis comes amid lingering tensions sparked by a political feud between Wike and Fubara, which led to the controversial declaration of a political state of emergency in Rivers just three months ago. With this new round of allegations and unrest, political instability in the oil-rich state shows no signs of easing.
