From Ndubuisi Orji, Abuja
The House of Representatives has constituted a 19-man Ad-hoc Committee to oversight the Rivers State government for the duration of the Emergency Rule in the state.
In a statement by the spokesman, Akin Rotimi, yesterday, it said the panel is headed by the House leader, Julius Ihonbvere with the minority whip, Ali JC Isa, as deputy chairman.
Other members of the panel are the majority whip, Isiaka Ibrahim; former deputy speaker, Idris Wase; chairman House Committee on Federal Capital Territory ( FCT), Aliyu Muktar Betera and chairman, House Committee on Water Resources, Sada Soli.
Also included in the Ad-hoc Committee are James Faleke, Igariwey Enwo, Shehu Saleh Rijau, Wole Oke, Akarachi Etinosa Amadi, Patrick Umoh, James Barka, Alex Egbona, Isa Anka, Amos Daniel, Erhiatake Ibori-Suenu, Onuh Blessing and Fatima Talba.
The House had on March 20 approved the declaration of emergency rule in Rivers State by President Bola Tinubu.
President Tinubu, in broadcast on March 18, declared emergency rule in Rivers State, suspended the governor, Siminalayi Fubara, the deputy governor, Ngozi Odu and the State House of Assembly, over the political crisis in the oil rich state.
Also, the President appointed a former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (retd) as sole administrator of the state for the duration of the emergency rule. According to Tinubu all regulations by the sole administrator shall be approved by the Federal Executive Council and promulgated by the president.
Nonetheless, the House, while approving the emergency rule, resolved that in line with Section 11( 4) of the 1999 Constitution ( as amended), it is the National Assembly that will make laws for Rivers State, during the emergency rule, and not the President.
Rotimi says the appointment of the Ad-hoc Committee “underscores the resolve of the House of Representatives to uphold the supremacy of the Constitution and ensure that the extraordinary measures undertaken during the emergency period remain subject to legislative oversight, guided by transparency, accountability, and the best interest of the good people of Rivers State.”