Rivers State Sole Administrator Skips House Committee Hearing Amid Emergency Rule
Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), the Sole Administrator appointed to govern Rivers State under a federally declared state of emergency, failed to appear before the House of Representatives Ad-Hoc Committee on Thursday, sparking frustration among lawmakers.
The committee, chaired by House Leader Prof. Julius Ihonvbere, had summoned Ibas to address concerns over the state’s governance and political climate following President Bola Tinubu’s imposition of a six-month emergency rule on March 18, 2025. The presidential decree suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and the state legislature, with Ibas assuming full administrative control.
Lawmakers convened at 3:00 PM for the scheduled session but were left waiting as Ibas did not attend. After a closed-door deliberation, the committee emerged visibly displeased but declined to comment. When pressed by journalists, Ihonvbere tersely responded, “no comment.”
This marks the second delay in the committee’s efforts to engage Ibas. Initially set for April 17, 2025, at 4:00 PM, the session was postponed at Ibas’s request. No new date has been announced.
The House formed the ad-hoc committee to oversee Rivers State’s administration during the emergency period, which has drawn scrutiny over federal intervention in state affairs. Ibas’s repeated absence raises questions about transparency and accountability under the current arrangement.
FCN News will continue to monitor developments.
