Retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, the Sole Administrator of Rivers State, finally appeared before the House of Representatives Ad-Hoc Committee on Rivers State after several postponements. The meeting, held at the National Assembly, comes amid growing national attention on the state’s governance under emergency rule.
Ibas, appointed by President Bola Tinubu following the declaration of a state of emergency and the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, began his remarks by acknowledging the importance of the committee’s role in preserving the nation’s democratic values.
“Mr. Chairman, please permit me to begin by respectfully acknowledging your leadership and the critical role of this committee in safeguarding the democratic and constitutional integrity of our great nation,” he said.
He apologized for missing previous meetings, explaining that his absence was not due to negligence but the result of urgent demands tied to stabilizing a volatile situation.
Emphasizing the complexity of managing a state under emergency rule, he added, “The absence, of course, was not out of disregard, but rather due to the weighty and urgent demands of stabilising governance in a state under a declared emergency.”
He appealed to the committee for more time to deliver a detailed and accurate report. “It is important that any engagement with this committee is done with the depth, accuracy and clarity it rightfully deserves,” he said.
The committee, exercising its constitutional mandate to take over legislative functions in the state, then entered a closed-door session after Ibas’ initial briefing.
In closing, Ibas expressed his readiness to work with the lawmakers and appreciated the media’s role in promoting transparency.
“I remain fully committed to cooperating with the committee and to ensuring that all relevant information is made available in due course. I want to specially thank Mr. Chairman and the distinguished honourable members of this committee. I also want to thank members of the press for the role they’ve played in supporting the efforts of the federal government,” he said.
The committee is expected to deliberate on his request and outline the next steps in its oversight of Rivers State’s transitional administration.
