Political drama has deepened in Rivers State following the sudden resignation of Goodluck Ihemnacho, the recently appointed head of Ahoada East Local Government Area.
Mr Ihemnacho, among the 23 council heads appointed by the state’s Interim Sole Administrator, Retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, tendered his resignation via a letter dated 20 June 2025.
The letter, now circulating widely online, cited a desire to return to private life as the reason for his decision to quit.
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In his resignation letter, Mr Ihemnacho expressed appreciation for the opportunity to serve the people of Ahoada East, saying he was grateful for their trust during his tenure, which he noted ran “from 11 April to 20 July 2025.”
However, his departure has ignited a storm of speculation and unease.
Several insider sources have suggested that the administrator may not have left of his own free will.
According to one account, shared under anonymity, a group of unidentified men allegedly invaded the local government office, assaulted Mr Ihemnacho, and compelled him to sign the resignation under threat.
Observers have also flagged a questionable detail in the letter: the mention of July 20 as the end of his tenure, despite the document being dated June 20.
This inconsistency has fuelled further suspicion. Following the incident, the Ahoada East council headquarters has reportedly been sealed off by law enforcement.
Amid the confusion, there are whispers that Mr Ihemnacho may have resigned voluntarily to clear the path for a run in the upcoming local government elections.
Though this remains unverified, some analysts believe it could be a calculated political move rather than a forced exit.
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Regardless of the true motive, the resignation represents the first visible rupture in the Mr Ibas-led caretaker structure introduced barely three months ago.
Political watchers say the incident may hint at broader instability within the state’s already fragile local governance arrangement.
