President Bola Tinubu met with retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, the immediate past administrator of Rivers State, yesterday at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. The private meeting took place just hours after the President received Governor Sim Fubara, amid heightened scrutiny of financial activities during the six-month emergency rule in the state.
At its first sitting following the expiration of the emergency rule, the Rivers State House of Assembly, led by Speaker Martin Amaewhule, announced plans to investigate the use of the consolidated revenue fund under Ibas’s administration. Lawmakers said they would review contracts awarded and expenditures made during the emergency period, aiming to ensure transparency and accountability in the state’s financial operations.
However, Ibas dismissed the resolution, describing it as a political diversion. Speaking through his Senior Special Adviser on Media, Hector Igbikiowubu, the retired naval officer argued that he was appointed by the President and supervised by the National Assembly, and therefore any attempt to probe his actions would be equivalent to scrutinising both institutions.
The six-month emergency rule in Rivers State was declared by President Tinubu on March 18, 2025, following escalating political tensions and security challenges. During this period, Governor Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and all elected legislators were suspended, with Ibas tasked to oversee the administration of the state.
After the emergency period concluded, Ibas formally handed back governance to the elected officials, affirming the temporary nature of his appointment. While the House of Assembly asserts its intention to examine financial transactions and ensure public accountability, Ibas maintains that such actions are outside the legislature’s constitutional authority.
Observers note that the developments reflect a complex interplay between state oversight and federal authority, highlighting the sensitivities surrounding emergency governance and post-emergency scrutiny in Nigeria.
The meeting between President Tinubu and Ibas comes as the political climate in Rivers State continues to evolve, with ongoing discussions about transparency, governance, and the proper oversight of public resources.
