PORT HARCOURT, Nigeria — Goodluck Iheamnacho, the sole administrator of Ahoada East Local Government Area in Rivers State, has denied reports of his resignation, insisting that he remains in office and that a purported resignation letter circulating online was signed under duress.
The controversy erupted after a letter dated Friday, June 20, 2025, and addressed to the state’s head of local government administrators, Ibok-Ete Ibas, surfaced on social media.
The document, bearing Iheamnacho’s name and signature, indicated his intention to step down in order to return to the private sector.
However, in an interview with Nigeria Info 92.3 FM Port Harcourt, Mr Iheamnacho refuted the contents of the letter, alleging that he was assaulted and coerced into signing documents by unidentified assailants.
“I did not resign from my appointment as the sole administrator of Ahoada-East,” he said during the broadcast.
“I was attacked in my office, and the letter they brought was not signed by me. I know nothing about the letter.”
“I want to tell members of the public that I did not resign as the sole administrator of Ahoada East, and any other information aired is null and void. I am still the sole administrator of Ahoada-East,” he added.
The denial comes amid the circulation of a video online showing a man resembling Iheamnacho seated on the ground while being surrounded by several men who appeared to compel him to sign documents.
Iheamnacho’s appointment came just 70 days ago, making the alleged resignation and subsequent events particularly abrupt and controversial.
In a separate interview on the same radio station, Hector Ekeakita, the chief security officer of Ahoada East, disputed Iheamnacho’s version of events.
He claimed that no physical attack took place and insisted that the resignation was voluntary.
“The youths said he should tell them why the LGA is dirty. No staff come to work and he stays in Port Harcourt to administer his administration,” Mr Ekeakita said.
“So the youths were angry and they blocked him, so with that pressure he said he does not want to do it again.”
