The House of Representatives has formally summoned Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd.), the Sole Administrator overseeing Rivers State, for a detailed interactive session aimed at uncovering the true state of governance in the crisis-hit region.
This invitation was confirmed in a statement issued on Wednesday by the House Spokesman, Rep. Akin Rotimi Jr. It follows the inauguration of an Ad-Hoc Committee on Rivers State Oversight by the House, which pledged to ensure that the emergency governance measures currently in place serve the best interests of the state’s residents.
President Bola Tinubu had earlier declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, leading to the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu, the State House of Assembly, and other elected officials. Speaking in a national broadcast, Tinubu noted: “I have made personal interventions between the contending parties for a peaceful resolution of the crisis, but my efforts have been largely ignored by the parties involved.”
Following Tinubu’s proclamation, both the Senate and the House of Representatives ratified the emergency rule in March 2025, invoking constitutional authority granted under the amended 1999 Constitution. A joint committee of both legislative chambers was subsequently established to oversee the state’s affairs during the emergency period.
Under Section 5 of the 2025 Proclamation and Section 11(4) of the Constitution, the Ad-Hoc Committee is tasked with ensuring that governance in Rivers remains consistent with constitutional provisions and the rule of law. As part of its oversight duties, the Committee convened its first meeting at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja on Wednesday, where it resolved to invite Vice Admiral Ibas for a comprehensive engagement.
The chairman of the Committee and House Leader, Hon. (Prof.) Julius Ihonvbere, stated that the session was essential to determine the actual condition of affairs in Rivers State. He added that this would ensure the House remains accurately informed as it continues its legislative oversight in the public interest.
According to the statement, the interactive session with the Sole Administrator is scheduled for Thursday, 17 April 2025, at 4:00 PM, in Room 414 of the House of Representatives’ New Building at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja. It further clarified that a formal invitation had been dispatched and acknowledged, with the public announcement intended to uphold transparency in the Committee’s work.
The committee reiterated its dedication to carrying out its responsibilities with diligence and transparency, in full compliance with the Nigerian Constitution.
Political observers note that the crisis in Rivers State has been deeply rooted in an ongoing power struggle between suspended Governor Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, who currently serves as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory. This feud has caused sharp divisions within the State Assembly and increased political tension. Commenting on the legal implications of the conflict, the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi SAN, explained in a recent interview that the Supreme Court’s judgment had addressed elements of the political impasse between the governor and the state’s legislators.
