Old photo showing Wike shaking the hand of new sole administrator of Rivers emerges, Nigerians react

• An aged photograph of Nyesom Wike and Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (retd.) has resurfaced, sparking wide reactions amidst Rivers State's governmental crisis
• President Tinubu declared a authorities of exigency successful Rivers State, suspending elected officials and appointing Ibas arsenic Sole Administrator
• This marks the 5th authorities of exigency successful Nigeria since 1999, drafting comparisons to past interventions successful Plateau, Ekiti, and Boko Haram-affected states

An aged photograph of Nyesom Wike, the erstwhile Governor of Rivers State and existent Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), shaking hands with Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (retd.), the recently appointed Sole Administrator of Rivers State, has surfaced online.

The representation has ignited wide reactions among Nigerians, with galore speculating connected its implications amidst the ongoing governmental situation successful the state.

Old Photo Showing Wike Shaking the Hand of New Sole Administrator of Rivers Emerges, Nigerians React
Source: Twitter

Tinubu declares authorities of exigency successful Rivers State

The emergence of the photograph coincided with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's declaration of a authorities of exigency successful Rivers State.

In a nationwide broadcast connected March 18, 2025, Tinubu announced the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and each elected members of the authorities House of Assembly for an archetypal play of six months.

The President cited a prolonged governmental crisis, which began successful September 2023, arsenic the crushed for the drastic measure. Admiral Ibas was appointed to oversee the state's affairs during this period.

This declaration marked the 5th lawsuit of a authorities of exigency being imposed successful Nigeria since the instrumentality to antiauthoritarian governance successful 1999.

Previous examples see Plateau State successful 2004, Ekiti State successful 2006, and the Boko Haram-affected states of Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa successful 2013.

In each case, the national authorities intervened to reconstruct bid amidst crises ranging from ethno-religious unit to governmental instability.

Nigerians respond to the photo

The resurfaced photograph of Wike and Ibas has added a furniture of intrigue to the unfolding events. Social media platforms person been abuzz with discussions.

See the reactions below:

Eugene Eneremadu wrote connected X:

“Hmmm region Fubara and regenerate with Wike antheral and let Wike to usage the aforesaid method helium utilized successful Rivers authorities successful 2023 successful Abuja successful 2027. So Apc takes implicit some Rivers and Abuja utilizing Wike magic.”

Mahmoud Yakubu said:

“It’s becoming clearer now. They knew the impeachment was intolerable due to the fact that the main justice was not connected their side, truthful they decided to walk done this route. Who genuinely blew up the pipeline? Your conjecture is arsenic bully arsenic mine.”

CC Derek wrote:

“OK I recognize attrition happens to each of america yet butttt... Wike emaciated importantly implicit the past fewer years. Na truthful wickedness dey bash person?”

Upwardly Mobile wrote:

“Politics aside, Vice Admiral Ibas (rtd) arsenic Chief of Naval Staff paid courtesy visits connected each State governors wherever determination are naval formations. Rivers State hosts much than 5 Naval Bases. This representation was taken connected 1 of those occasions earlier Ibas' status successful 2021.”

Mr. Ikman:

“It is simply a hatchet plan. The Chief Judge of Rivers authorities was acceptable to thwart their impeachment crippled program truthful they activated program B.”

Yinka Daniel selenite besides reacted:

“The suspension of Fubara, his Deputy & the 27 location assembly members by the President is simply a publication to favour Wike. The wider implications of his indirectly ruling Rivers State & taking implicit the State's authorities machinery thru the caller Administrator cannot beryllium ruled out.”

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Source: Legit.ng