From Ndubuisi Orji,Abuja 
 
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, has said that the Rivers State Sole Administrator, Rear Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd) must be transparent and accountable in administering the state during the period of Emergency Rule.
 
Abbas stated this on Tuesday while inaugurating the House Ad-hoc Committee to oversight Rivers State, during the period of Emergency Rule. He said the sole administrator is expected to report to the National Assembly directly in all matters relating to the peace, order and governance of Rivers State.
 
The speaker noted that beyond oversight, the panel is expected to support efforts aimed at restoring peace, as well as reestablishing a fully functional democratic system in Rivers State.
 
President  Bola Tinubu, had  in a 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.
 
President  Tinubu also appointed Ibas as sole administrator of the state for the during of the Emergency Rule.  Consequently, the two chambers of the National Assembly approved the Emergency Rule, on March 20, with voice votes, with the House insisting that it is the constitutional duty of the parliament to make laws for Rivers State during the Emergency Rule.
 
Nonetheless, some of the actions of the Rivers sole administrator, including the appointment of sole administrators for local government councils in the state have been trialled by controversies.
 
However, Abbas said Nigerians are watching to see if the National Assembly will live up to expectations in discharging its constitutional role in Rivers State while the Emergency Rule lasts.
 
According to him, “the Administrator is required to operate with the highest levels of transparency and accountability, reporting directly to the National Assembly on all matters that pertain to the peace, order and good government of the State as prescribed by the Constitution.
 
“Today’s inauguration of the 21-member Ad-Hoc Committee on Rivers State reaffirms our constitutional commitment to transparent governance. Empowered by Section 5 of the State of Emergency (Rivers State) Proclamation 2025 and pursuant to Section 11(4) of our Constitution, this Committee has a clear and non-partisan mandate. 
 
“Its purpose is to monitor the implementation of federal directives and policies in Rivers State, ensure that the caretaker administration adheres to the law, and protect the public interest while facilitating the re-establishment of full democratic governance in the state.”