The Coalition of Conscientious Citizens (3Cs) has issued a seven-day ultimatum to Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (retd.), the Sole Administrator of Rivers State, demanding that he publicly declare his assets in line with constitutional provisions on transparency and accountability.
The demand comes in the wake of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, which led to the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and the entire State House of Assembly for six months. The coalition insists that while Ibas was appointed rather than elected, he must still adhere to the same standards of financial disclosure expected of public officeholders.
Speaking at a press conference in Abuja, the Executive Director of 3Cs, Dr. Gabriel Nnaji, cited Section 185(1) of the Nigerian Constitution, which mandates governors to declare their assets before assuming office. He argued that Ibas, despite his appointment, should be held to similar standards of transparency to assure the people of Rivers State that he will not exploit his position for personal gain.
“Our concerns have been heightened by reports suggesting that Rivers State’s coffers have been bled dry in under two weeks of the Sole Administrator’s tenure,” Nnaji stated. He pointed to the sudden release of previously withheld local government allocations without clear legal justification and alleged that the suspension of Governor Fubara’s appointees was part of a broader scheme to cover up large-scale financial mismanagement within the state.
In response to these concerns, the coalition has given Ibas seven days to publicly declare his assets or face legal action. “Given that Vice Admiral Ibas does not enjoy the mandate of Rivers State electorates, being the product of a fiat, there is an additional burden on him to publicly declare his assets to ensure he does not enrich himself at the state’s expense,” the statement read.
Furthermore, 3Cs has vowed to meticulously monitor the administration of Ibas, warning of dire consequences should any state resources be misappropriated. “We are putting Vice Admiral Ibas on notice that 3Cs will lead an amalgamation of Nigerians and organizations to scrutinize his tenure and ensure accountability,” Nnaji declared.
The coalition urged the people of Rivers State to remain vigilant and demand transparency in governance, emphasizing that public office must not be an avenue for unchecked financial recklessness. As the deadline looms, all eyes are now on the Sole Administrator to see whether he will comply with this demand or face potential legal battles in the coming weeks.