Fubara appoints Benibo Anabraba as Rivers SSG

Siminalayi Fubara, governor of Rivers, has appointed Benibo Anabraba as the new secretary to the state government (SSG).

The appointment was announced on Monday in a statement signed by Honour Sirawoo, permanent secretary, ministry of information and communications.

According to the statement, Anabraba will be sworn in at 4 pm today at the state executive council chambers of the government house in Port Harcourt.

“The governor of Rivers state, Siminalayi Fubara, has approved the appointment of Benibo Anabraba as secretary to the state government,” the statement reads.

“The new SSG will be sworn in today, Monday, October 13, 2025, at 4:00 p.m. at the state executive council chambers, government house, Port Harcourt.”

The appointment comes 26 days after Fubara’s reinstatement as governor following months of political turmoil that led to the declaration of emergency rule by President Bola Tinubu in March.

Tinubu had suspended Fubara, his deputy, and members of the house of assembly after the prolonged conflict between the governor and Nyesom Wike, his predecessor and current minister of the federal capital territory (FCT).

During the period, Ibok-Ete Ibas, a retired vice admiral, was appointed as sole administrator to oversee the state’s affairs and restore order.

Upon assumption of office, Ibas suspended commissioners, advisers, and heads of parastatals appointed by Fubara and dissolved several state boards.

Following the lifting of the emergency rule on September 18, the Rivers house of assembly urged Fubara to submit a new list of commissioner-nominees and present the 2025 budget for passage.

Fubara’s latest appointment may signal the start of a new phase in rebuilding his administration and restoring stability in the state.