Yan Nigeria
Fresh controversy is brewing in Rivers State following allegations that the Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd), withheld ₦200 million from the monthly allocation of Ahoada East Local Government Area.
Naija News reports that this revelation emerged in the wake of a disturbing physical assault and reported forced resignation of the council’s Sole Administrator, Goodluck Ihenacho, an incident that has further strained the already tense political atmosphere in the state.
According to The Guardian, a voice note from the Chief Security Officer (CSO) of Ahoada East LGA, Hector Ekeakita, claimed that the assault on Ihenacho was allegedly linked to his perceived loyalty to the ‘Simplified Family’, the political camp of suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
“Goodluck was tortured and forced to sign a prepared resignation letter because he was fraternising with members of the Simplified Family and was almost employing a youth loyal to Fubara before the incident,” Ekeakita said in a voice note shared on the Rivers Police Command’s WhatsApp platform.
Ekeakita, who was among those invited by the police over the incident, described the situation as “barbaric”, adding that “we do not play that kind of politics here.”
A viral video that circulated over the weekend showed armed youths physically assaulting Ihenacho in his office. The embattled administrator was seen sitting on the floor as his assailants handed him a resignation letter, which he was reportedly forced to sign.
The Rivers State Police Command has since confirmed that Ihenacho was attacked and coerced into resigning. While investigations are ongoing, the CSO insists he had no involvement in the assault, claiming the attackers were local youths demanding transparency, not hired thugs.
Ekeakita used the opportunity to call out Vice Admiral Ibas, alleging misappropriation of council funds over two months.
“In April, Mr. Ihenacho received ₦800 million but declared ₦700 million. In May, he got ₦600 million aside from over ₦100 million in excess crude, but he declared just ₦500 million. Ibas must tell the public if he collected council money or not,” the CSO charged.
He further stated that only ₦41 million had been left for the council’s operations in the last two months, raising serious questions about financial management and transparency.
The CSO also criticised Ihenacho for allegedly neglecting key responsibilities, including sanitation and security, which he said triggered public frustration and could have contributed to the mob action against him.
“He abandoned the very basics of governance, and the people reacted. But that doesn’t justify the violence,” Ekeakita clarified.
This latest development comes three months after the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers politics, following bitter rivalry between Nyesom Wike’s camp and that of suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
The post Rivers: Sole Administrator, Ibas Accused Of Withholding ₦200 Million appeared first on Naija News.
