Amid the ongoing political crisis in Rivers State, Dr. George Nwaeke, the Head of Service, has resigned from office.
His resignation was officially announced on Tuesday in a statement signed by Retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, the Chief of Staff to the Rivers State Sole Administrator.
The statement acknowledged Nwaeke’s service and extended best wishes for his future endeavors. It read:
“The Office of His Excellency, The Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral (rtd) Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas CFR, is saddened to announce the resignation of the Head of Service, Rivers State, Dr. George Nwaeke, FCA, Mni.
“His Excellency, The Administrator appreciates the immense contributions he has shown this administration in the short period he served and wishes him well in his future endeavors.”
Following Nwaeke’s resignation, Dr. (Mrs.) Iyingi Brown, the Permanent Secretary for Welfare in the Office of the Head of Service, has been appointed as the Acting Head of Service.
She will serve in this capacity until a substantive replacement is named.
In his statement, Ibas congratulated Brown on her new role and reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to neutrality, peace, and stability in Rivers State.
Nwaeke’s resignation comes just a week after President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, suspending Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Deputy Governor Ngozi Nma Ordu, and all members of the State House of Assembly.
The move has been met with widespread criticism from political figures, civil society organizations, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).
