In a strong move aimed at reinforcing constitutional order and transparency in Rivers State, the House of Representatives has directed the Sole Administrator of the state, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), to report directly to the National Assembly in accordance with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
This directive was issued by the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, during the formal inauguration of a special ad-hoc committee established to oversee the ongoing federal intervention in the state, which is currently under a six-month emergency rule. The emergency was declared by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on March 18 following a protracted political crisis between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and members of the State House of Assembly, which threatened to plunge the state into chaos.
Speaker Abbas reminded all parties that the appointment of Vice Admiral Ibas as the Sole Administrator is a temporary measure solely aimed at stabilizing governance in the oil-rich state. He stressed that Ibas must steer clear of partisan politics and operate within the confines of the law, ensuring that every step taken is in the interest of peace, order, and the eventual return to democratic governance.
“The National Assembly, being the constitutional watchdog of the Nigerian people, cannot sit idly while one of our key federating units is engulfed in administrative uncertainty,” Abbas declared. “Vice Admiral Ibas must, therefore, maintain regular and direct communication with this House, providing updates on governance matters, intervention strategies, and financial disbursements to guarantee absolute transparency.”
The ad-hoc committee, chaired by the respected lawmaker and Majority Leader, Prof. Julius Ihonvbere, was tasked with ensuring close monitoring of the administration in Rivers State. Comprising 21 distinguished members, the panel has been mandated to scrutinize federal interventions, track the state’s compliance with constitutional standards, and ensure that citizens’ welfare is prioritized during this transition period.
Speaking after the inauguration, Prof. Ihonvbere expressed the committee’s unwavering commitment to national interest, stating that the committee will uphold the highest standards of transparency, fairness, and objectivity. “We will engage all stakeholders and ensure that governance in Rivers State is conducted in accordance with democratic principles, while also laying the groundwork for a peaceful return to elected leadership,” he assured.
This move by the National Assembly is seen as part of a broader effort to check executive overreach and affirm the legislature’s role in maintaining checks and balances, particularly during periods of emergency governance. Analysts have hailed the House’s intervention as timely and critical to preventing Rivers State from becoming a flashpoint for broader instability.
As the committee begins its work, many citizens and observers await tangible outcomes that will restore public confidence, address the root causes of the crisis, and ensure that Rivers State does not remain under emergency rule beyond the stipulated timeframe.
The National Assembly, through this directive, is sending a clear signal: constitutional order, transparency, and accountability remain non-negotiable, even in times of crisis.