Mr. Goodluck Iheamnacho, the Sole Administrator for Ahoada East Local Government Area of Rivers State appointed by Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd), the state’s Sole Administrator, has resigned his appointment less than three months into the office.
Ibas was appointed after the suspension of Governor Siminalaye Fubara by President Bola Tinubu on March 18, 2025 upon the declaration of the state of emergency in the state.
Iheamnacho, who announced his resignation in a letter addressed to Ibas, premised his decision on his plan to return to private business.
Though, many indigenes of Ahoada East told Daily Trust that Iheamnacho was forced to resign because he was not complying with the power that be in the state, others claimed that he realised his rulership was not supported by the indigenes of the area and Rivers State at large.
Ibas, since his appointment, has suffered stiff resistance from the citizens of Rivers state, who see his leadership of the state as imposition.
Iheamnacho only spent 70 days in office, as he was appointed on April 9, 2025, and was officially sworn in on April 11.
He tendered his resignation on June 20, citing a personal decision to return to the private sector in a letter addressed to Ibas and obtained by Daily Trust correspondent in Port Harcourt.
He said: “Sequel to the above subject matter; I humbly write to your noble office to convey to you my resignation as the administrator of Ahoada-East LGA. My decision is informed by my desire to return back to the private sector.
“My sincere gratitude goes to the government of Rivers State and the good people of Ahoada-East for finding me worthy to serve as administrator of Ahoada-East LGA from April 11, 2025 to June 20, 2025.”
Iheamnacho was among the 23 sole administrators appointed to oversee local government councils following the expiration of the tenures of the elected council chairmen.
The appointments followed a decision by the Ibas-led administration to bypass fresh elections, and instead rely on appointed administrators to steer the councils.
His resignation is the first recorded among the newly appointed administrators and raises questions about the stability and direction of the state’s local government administration under the current administration in the state.
Though the state government is yet to issue any statement on the development as at the time of filing the report, political pundits said Iheamnacho resigned to pave the way for him to contest the August council election in the state as the Senate Committee on Rivers State Emergency Rule on Tuesday confirmed the appointment of the chairman and members of Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC).
