Despite a relative calm in Rivers State, the Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (Rtd), has warned that the situation remains delicate and must be handled with utmost care during the ongoing political transition.
Speaking on Friday during a meeting with the House of Representatives Ad-hoc Committee on Rivers State Oversight, Ibas acknowledged the fragile state of peace in the region and reaffirmed his commitment to work closely with the committee to ensure a smooth transition and uphold democratic integrity.
He expressed regret over his earlier absence from the committee’s engagements, attributing it to the urgent demands of stabilising governance under a declared emergency.
“Today marks ten days since the first invitation. In that period, we’ve had several public holidays and weekends, making engagement difficult,” he explained, adding that his non-appearance was not out of disrespect but due to pressing state matters.
Ibas assured the lawmakers of his full cooperation and pledged to provide all necessary information in due course to support their oversight responsibilities.
“I remain fully committed to cooperating with the committee and to ensuring that all relevant information is made available to support your important work,” he said.
He stressed that the complexities of the current political climate in Rivers demand caution and accuracy, especially in engagements with the National Assembly.
The administrator appealed for additional time to prepare a detailed and constructive briefing, saying, “Given the complexities and sensitivities surrounding the transitional period, it is important that any engagement with this committee is done with the depth, accuracy, and clarity it deserves.”
Chairman of the House Committee, Prof Julius Ihonvbere, reiterated the National Assembly’s constitutional authority in overseeing the declared state of emergency in Rivers, emphasising the critical role of the legislature in legitimising the transitional process.
He clarified that the committee had been engaging with Ibas through multiple channels and welcomed his eventual appearance as a positive step toward transparency and collaboration.
Citing Sections 305 and 11(4) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), Ihonvbere reminded Ibas that while the President declares a state of emergency, it is only valid after approval by the National Assembly. He also noted that all legislative duties of the state assembly during this period fall under the purview of the committee.
He assured the administrator of a professional and inclusive engagement, noting that the committee was carefully constituted to reflect national representation.
A new date for a follow-up meeting will be announced, and further updates will be communicated by the House spokesman.
