In a move reflecting heightened legislative scrutiny, the House of Representatives Ad-Hoc Committee on the oversight of Rivers State has officially summoned the state’s Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd), to appear before it this Thursday, April 17, 2025, for a comprehensive briefing on the current state of governance in the oil-rich state.
This development follows the emergency declaration in Rivers State by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu earlier in the year, which led to the suspension of the elected legislative and executive arms of the state. Citing the breakdown of law and order, the President invoked constitutional provisions to impose emergency rule, consequently appointing Admiral Ibas to steer the affairs of the state on an interim basis for an initial six-month period.
In response, the National Assembly, leveraging the powers conferred on it under Section 11(4) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), moved to assume legislative responsibilities for the state during the emergency period. As part of this intervention, Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, on Tuesday inaugurated a 21-man ad-hoc committee led by the House Leader, Professor Julius Ihonvbere, mandating them to conduct thorough oversight without prejudice or political bias.
A statement released on Wednesday by the House spokesperson, Hon. Akin Rotimi, confirmed the scheduled appearance of the Sole Administrator. According to the statement, Admiral Ibas is expected to present a detailed account of the current administrative and security situation in Rivers State during an interactive session with the committee members.
“The Committee has resolved to engage the Sole Administrator in line with its constitutional obligation to provide transparent and effective oversight during this period of federal intervention,” the statement read. Prof. Ihonvbere also emphasized the importance of the engagement, noting that the session would enable the House to gain first-hand insight into developments in the state and guide legislative actions appropriately.
The meeting is slated for 4:00 PM on Thursday at Room 414 of the New House of Representatives Building within the National Assembly Complex in Abuja. A formal letter inviting Admiral Ibas to the session has already been delivered and acknowledged by his office, according to officials.
Reiterating the non-partisan stance of the committee, Prof. Ihonvbere assured the public that the House remains committed to upholding the tenets of transparency, accountability, and constitutional fidelity in its approach to the Rivers situation.
The unfolding scenario marks a significant chapter in Nigeria’s evolving democratic landscape, as both the executive and legislature navigate the delicate terrain of emergency governance while maintaining a firm commitment to the rule of law and public accountability.
