From Ndubuisi Orji, Abuja
The House of Representatives Ad-hoc Committee on Rivers State has summoned the Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Rear Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd), to appear before it today, as the National Assembly begins oversight of the controversial Emergency Rule declared in the oil-rich state.
This was disclosed in a statement issued yesterday by the House spokesman, Akin Rotimi, who said Ibas is expected to brief the committee on the state of affairs in Rivers State since the emergency administration was put in place by the presidency.
President Bola Tinubu had, on March 18, declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, following prolonged political instability and power tussles involving Governor Siminalayi Fubara, the State House of Assembly and other critical stakeholders in the state.
Under the emergency arrangement, President Tinubu suspended the elected governor, Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, as well as the state legislature, and appointed retired naval officer Rear Admiral Ibas to act as Sole Administrator during the transitional period.
The president’s move, though supported by the National Assembly, sparked national debate due to the controversial voice vote method used in approving the emergency declaration in both chambers.
To provide legislative oversight during this period, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, on Tuesday inaugurated a 21-man Ad-hoc Committee, tasked with monitoring governance in Rivers State under Ibas’ administration.
Abbas emphasised that the Sole Administrator must operate with “complete transparency, adherence to the rule of law and accountability to the people.”
He said the committee was set up “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.”
During its inaugural sitting, the committee chaired by Julius Ihonvbere, resolved to immediately invite Rear Admiral Ibas for an interactive session, aimed at getting a clearer picture of the political and administrative situation in the state.
Ihonvbere said: “This engagement is necessary to ascertain the true state of affairs in Rivers State and ensure that the House remains properly guided in the discharge of its oversight responsibilities in the public interest.”
He added that the committee’s work is critical in preventing further breakdown of law and order in Rivers, ensuring proper use of public funds and preparing the grounds for a return to constitutional governance.
Although Ibas has yet to respond publicly to the summons, sources close to the caretaker administration suggest that he is expected to comply, as the House oversight powers are enshrined in the 1999 Constitution.
Meanwhile, reactions have continued to trail the emergency rule imposed in Rivers. Critics argue that the Federal Government’s action undermines democratic principles and subverts the will of the people. Supporters of the move, however, contend that the action was necessary to forestall total breakdown of governance, especially given the escalation of political hostilities in the state.
In recent months, Rivers has witnessed a deepening rift between Governor Fubara and his political benefactor, Nyesom Wike, who now serves as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The feud has polarised the state’s political structure and resulted in parallel sessions of the State Assembly, allegations of impeachment plots and legal tussles.
With the House Ad-hoc Committee now actively engaged, stakeholders within and outside Rivers will be watching closely to see whether the federal intervention will restore order or further deepen tensions in one of Nigeria’s most politically strategic states.