Port Harcourt, Rivers State Nigeria — A dramatic confrontation unfolded at the Rivers State Government House on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, as aides and security personnel attached to outgoing Sole Administrator Vice Admiral Ibok-Ette Ibas (Rtd.) staged a protest over unpaid allowances and entitlements. The tense scene was marked by open confrontations between the protesters and the administrator, with the personnel accusing Ibas of attempting to “sneak away” with the state’s wealth while leaving them unpaid.
The protest began when aides discovered Ibas was preparing to vacate office without settling their allowances and entitlements. The situation quickly escalated, with raised voices echoing through the Government House corridors. Some members of his security detail joined the protest, lamenting openly about being left “empty-handed” after months of service.
Vice Admiral Ibok-Ette Ibas was appointed Sole Administrator of Rivers State amid political tensions between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and former Rivers State Governor, now FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike. A reconciliation brokered by President Bola Tinubu has eased the crisis and paved the way for Fubara’s return. However, the protest highlights lingering discontent among government aides and security personnel.
The confrontation was eventually diffused after senior Government House officials assured the protesters that Ibas’ trip to Abuja was temporary. The aides and security personnel eventually dispersed, restoring a semblance of order. As Ibas prepares his exit, analysts suggest his legacy may not be remembered for service or honour, but for the bitter fallout and disgrace that characterised his final days in office.
