Ann Kio Briggs and Ibok Ete Ibas

Niger Delta activist Ann-Kio Briggs has accused Rivers State Administrator Ibok Ete Ibas of worsening the crisis he was appointed to resolve. Speaking on Politics Today on Channels Television, Briggs said Ibas is “pouring petrol on the fire” President Bola Tinubu tasked him to extinguish.

Ibas, a former Chief of Naval Staff, was appointed in March after Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, suspending Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy amid tensions with FCT Minister Nyesom Wike. Briggs, however, insists the administrator is taking unconstitutional actions, including the removal of elected officials and symbols of governance like Governor Fubara’s portraits.

“There were no issues, and he came along and removed everybody,” she said. “Siminalayi Fubara remains the governor of Rivers State.”

She further alleged Ibas is presiding over growing unrest and is not welcomed by many in the state. While Tinubu said the emergency rule would last six months, Briggs argued that the president could reverse the decision earlier.

On the same day, two opposing women’s groups protested in Port Harcourt: one supporting Ibas, the other, partially clothed, demanding Fubara’s reinstatement.