The House of Representatives has ordered the Sole Administrator for Rivers state, Rear Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (rtd.) to report directly to the National Assembly for necessary oversight in the running of the state under the state of emergency.
Speaking while inaugurating the House of Representatives Ad-hoc Committee on the administration of Rivers state, Tuesday, Speaker of the House, Tajudeen Abbas, urged members to bear in mind the significance of its assignment, which he said will be under national scrutiny.
Raising the committee was a follow-up to earlier resolution of the parliament, approving President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s proclamation of emergency governance of Rivers state in response to the prolonged political crisis in the state.
The National Assembly is constitutionally required to perform the legislative functions of the state while the emergency governance lasts.
The speaker at the inauguration of the 21-member panel in Abuja said, “The sensitivity and gravity of this assignment cannot be overemphasised. The state of emergency in Rivers State has generated widespread interest across the nation, and the eyes of all Nigerians are upon us as they await to see if the National Assembly can live up to the high expectations placed upon it.
“Therefore, the task before this Committee is not routine; it is a mission of national significance that will serve as a litmus test for our commitment to democratic principles and constitutional governance. The importance of the assignment places a considerable burden on the chairman and all members, as every action taken will be subject to national scrutiny.”
He stated further that, “It is paramount to note that the current administration in Rivers State is inherently temporary. With the suspension of the state governor, Mr Siminalayi Fubara, and the entire House of Assembly, a caretaker administration has been installed under the stewardship of Rear Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (rtd.). His role is strictly circumscribed, as he is charged with maintaining law and order and ensuring that the basic functions of governance are met only until full democratic governance is restored.
“The Administrator is required to operate with the highest levels of transparency and accountability, reporting directly to the National Assembly on all matters that pertain to the peace, order and good government of the State as prescribed by the Constitution.
Today’s inauguration of the 21-member Ad-Hoc Committee on Rivers State reaffirms our constitutional commitment to transparent governance. Empowered by Section 5 of the State of Emergency (Rivers State) Proclamation 2025 and pursuant to Section 11(4) of our Constitution, this Committee has a clear and non-partisan mandate.
“Its purpose is to monitor the implementation of federal directives and policies in Rivers State, ensure that the caretaker administration adheres to the law, and protect the public interest while facilitating the re-establishment of full democratic governance in the state.”
Responding after the panel’s inauguration, its chairman and Majority Leader of the House, Julius Ihonvbere, assured the speaker, saying “you’ve clearly spelt out what is expected of the committee. I assure you that we wouldn’t disappoint the Speaker, the National Assembly and Nigerians.”