Rivers State Head of Service Resigns Amid Political Crisis

Rivers State Head of Service, Dr. George Nwaeke, has resigned from office. His resignation was confirmed in a statement issued on Tuesday by the Chief of Staff to the Rivers State Sole Administrator, Retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas. The statement acknowledged Nwaeke’s contributions during his short tenure and extended best wishes for his future endeavors.

In the interim, Dr. (Mrs.) Iyingi Brown, the Permanent Secretary for Welfare in the Office of the Head of Service, has been appointed in an acting capacity until a substantive replacement is named. While congratulating Brown, Ibas reaffirmed his commitment to neutrality, peace, and stability in the state.

Nwaeke’s resignation follows President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, which led to the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his Deputy Ngozi Nma Ordu, and all members of the State Assembly. The President’s decision has sparked widespread criticism from political leaders, civil society organizations, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), and many Rivers State residents.