A legislative expert, Dr. Tonye Clinton Jaja, has called on the House of Representatives Ad-hoc Committee investigating the political situation in Rivers State to summon and thoroughly interrogate the Sole Administrator, Ibok-Ete Ibas, over a series of alleged unconstitutional actions taken under the ongoing state of emergency.
In an open letter addressed to the committee and dated April 28, 2025, Jaja accused Ibas of overreaching the bounds of his authority by dissolving the Rivers State Judicial Service Commission, an institution whose independence is protected under the Constitution. He also faulted Ibas for unilaterally appointing sole administrators across all the Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Rivers State, an act that bypasses the electoral process and undermines local democratic governance.
More controversially, Dr. Jaja alleged that the Sole Administrator has assumed legislative functions by issuing regulations and policies without the consent of any legislative body, actions he described as being outside the purview of the emergency proclamation enacted by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. He reminded lawmakers that under the Nigerian Constitution, even in a state of emergency, the principles of separation of powers and constitutional rule must be maintained. Regulations issued during emergency periods, he stressed, must receive presidential approval and cannot serve as a blanket license for authoritarian rule.
Dr. Jaja warned that the unchecked exercise of executive powers by Ibas could set a dangerous precedent, gradually eroding democratic structures in the state. He called on the House Ad-hoc Committee to demand full explanations from the Sole Administrator concerning the legality of his actions, particularly regarding appointments, budgetary appropriations, and the enactment of policies without legislative oversight.
Highlighting the broader implications, Jaja cautioned that if left unchallenged, such actions could deepen political tensions in Rivers State and foster a culture of impunity among public officeholders nationwide. He urged the committee to act decisively in defense of constitutionalism and the rule of law, stating that their actions at this critical juncture would either restore public confidence or further entrench authoritarian tendencies.
The House Ad-hoc Committee, set up earlier this month following escalating political unrest in Rivers State, is expected to convene hearings in the coming days, with stakeholders closely watching how it addresses these grave allegations.