The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, has reminded the Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), of his constitutional duty to report to the National Assembly in the course of administering the state.
Abbas gave the charge on Tuesday in Abuja during the inauguration of the House of Representatives Ad-Hoc Committee on Rivers State.
The development follows the declaration of emergency rule in Rivers State by President Bola Tinubu on 18 March 2025, amid a political crisis involving Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the State House of Assembly.
President Tinubu had suspended both the governor and the lawmakers for six months and appointed Ibas as Sole Administrator to oversee the state’s affairs. The appointment was subsequently approved by both chambers of the National Assembly.
Speaking at the inauguration of the 21-member committee, Speaker Abbas emphasized the need for objectivity, urging members to avoid bias and partisanship in carrying out their responsibilities.
“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 (retd.),” Abbas said.
He further clarified that Ibas’s role is limited to maintaining law and order and ensuring the basic functions of governance until democratic structures are 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,” he added.
