The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, has stated that Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd.), the Sole Administrator overseeing Rivers State, is constitutionally obligated to report to the National Assembly.
Speaking on Tuesday in Abuja at the inauguration of the House Ad-Hoc Committee on Rivers State, Abbas stressed that the 1999 Constitution (as amended) mandates such reporting during emergency rule situations.
Recall that President Bola Tinubu declared a six-month emergency rule in Rivers State on March 18, 2025, amid a crisis between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the State House of Assembly.
Both parties were suspended, and Ibas was appointed to temporarily administer the state—a decision ratified by both chambers of the National Assembly.
While inaugurating the 21-man committee, Abbas emphasized impartiality, saying, “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.”
Abbas referenced past emergency declarations in Plateau (2004), Ekiti (2006), and Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe (2013), underscoring the National Assembly’s constitutional role in such times.
Citing Section 11(4) of the Constitution, Abbas said, “At any time when any House of Assembly of a State is unable to perform its functions by reason of the situation prevailing in that State, the National Assembly may make such laws for the peace, order and good government of that State with respect to matters on which a House of Assembly may make laws… and any such laws enacted by the National Assembly pursuant to this section shall have effect as if they were laws enacted by the House of Assembly of the State…”
He further stressed the importance of the committee’s work:
“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.
“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.”
The Speaker called for integrity and diligence from committee members, stating,
“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… every action taken will be subject to national scrutiny.
“In fulfilling your mandate, you must conduct your oversight in strict accordance with the Constitution and avoid all forms of partisanship or bias. It is imperative that you monitor every aspect of the caretaker administration’s conduct, scrutinise public expenditures, and ensure that all federal directives and policies are implemented as intended. Moreover, it is expected that you will regularly report your findings to this House in a transparent manner, enabling us to continuously assess the impact of the emergency measures and to take further legislative action if necessary.”
He concluded, “The National Assembly’s intervention in Rivers State is not an instrument of political vendetta but a constitutional necessity. It embodies our collective duty to safeguard peace, security, and the rule of law… to rise to this historic challenge with courage, integrity, and determination.”
In response, the Committee Chairman and House Leader, Prof. Julius Ihonvbere, promised dedication to the task, saying,
“This is probably the strongest ad-hoc committee ever set up since 2019… with the experience, exposure, dedication and commitment to unbiased dispositions on national issues, I assure you… we will not disappoint you, the National Assembly and Nigeria.”
