The Senate announced that Rivers State’s Sole Administrator, retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, along with other key state officials, is slated to appear before a Joint National Assembly Ad-hoc Committee to defend the state’s 2025 budget.
This development was revealed on Tuesday during the inaugural meeting of the Senate Ad-hoc Committee tasked with overseeing emergency rule in Rivers State.
Chaired by Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, the meeting took place at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja.
Bamidele, who also serves as the Senate Leader, reaffirmed the National Assembly’s dedication to fostering good governance and financial transparency in Rivers State.
This commitment follows President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s declaration of emergency rule on March 18, 2025.
He said: “It is our understanding with our colleagues in the House of Representatives that the sole administrator and other relevant state functionaries will appear before the joint ad-hoc committee of both National Assembly chambers when it is time for them to defend the 2025 budget.”
The 18-member committee, constituted by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, is tasked with overseeing the emergency administration’s activities in Rivers State.
Bamidele assured Nigerians that the National Assembly would uphold its oversight role, ensuring the people of Rivers State are not neglected during the emergency governance period.
He said: “The committee will guarantee that the democratic rule will continue to function in Rivers State despite the declaration of emergency rule.
“The Senate is committed to the rule of law as well as the tenets of democracy. I am also confident in the pedigree of the members of this ad-hoc committee to deliver on the role of overseeing the activities of the sole administrator of Rivers State.
“The budget is being referred to our committee. The committee has just finalised its work plan and timetable to ensure proper budget defence by the sole administrator and other state officials, especially the Accountant-General of Rivers State, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance, and relevant economic officials.
“As much as possible, the National Assembly will ensure propriety in the discharge of our oversight functions. We will also ensure that governance does not suffer in Rivers State during the period of emergency rule.”
Persecondnews had reported that President Tinubu, in a bid to put an end to the power tussle between the state’s former Gov. Nyesom Wike and his successor, Gov. Siminalayi Fubara, declared a state of emergency in the state on March 18.
The prolonged power struggle led to nearly two years of political instability in the state, culminating in a legislature-Executive deadlock.
Apart from declaring a state of emergency, the President also suspended Fubara, his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu, and all members of the State House of Assembly for six months.
Ibas, who was appointed as the administrator, arrived in Rivers State on March 20, after being sworn in by President Tinubu on March 19.
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