The House of Representatives has ordered the Rivers State Sole Administrator, Ibok-Ete Ibas to start reporting to the National Assembly on key decisions regarding the administration of the state.
Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, issued the directive on Tuesday shortly after inaugurating a 21-member as hoc committee to oversee the activities of the administrator.
“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).
“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 said.
The Speaker recalled instances in the past where the National Assembly had to intervene in similar circumstances in Plateau State in 2004 and Ekiti State in 2006 under former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
“In those periods of dire security and governance challenges, the National Assembly assumed a vital role in upholding constitutional order. When state institutions were suspended, the intervention of the National Assembly ensured continuity in governance. Our actions today are grounded in Section 11(4) of the 1999 Constitution, which confers upon us the authority to make laws for any state whose elected legislative body is unable to perform its statutory functions.
“It states that ‘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 as may appear to the National Assembly to be necessary or expedient until such time as the State Assembly is able to resume its functions; 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.”
Continuing, Abbas said, “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.
“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. The importance of the assignment places a considerable burden on the chairman and all members, as 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.
“Your work must actively support efforts to restore lasting peace and re-establish a fully functioning democratic system in Rivers State. You are called upon to interface with federal agencies, security institutions, and any reconciliation initiatives that may be established, fostering trust among all stakeholders in the process.”
The Speaker clarified that the intervention of the National Assembly in Rivers State is not an instrument of political vendetta but a constitutional necessity.
According to him, it’s a collective duty to safeguard peace, security, and the rule of law in the state.
“We act not out of partisan interests but in the earnest service of a united and prosperous Nigeria. The eyes of all Nigerians are upon us, and it is incumbent upon this House, particularly on the chairman and all members of this esteemed Committee, to rise to this historic challenge with courage, integrity, and determination.”
The House Leader and chairman of the 21-member ad hoc committee, Prof Julius Ihonvbere pledged the readiness of the panel to deliver on its assignment.
“This is probably the strongest ad-hoc committee ever set up since 2019. This will make our work a lot easier, and with the experience, exposure, dedication and commitment to unbiased dispositions on national issues, I assure you, on behalf of my colleagues in the ad hoc committee, that we will not disappoint you, the National Assembly and Nigeria,” Ihonvbere said.
Recall that President Bola Tinubu had, on March 18, imposed a six-month emergency on Rivers State, citing a breakdown of law and order.
Tinubu had, through the proclamation, suspended the state governor, Siminalayi Fubara and the Rivers State House of Assembly for the duration of the emergency rule.
The Senate and the House of Representatives had, on March 20, ratified the President’s emergency rule declaration by voice vote.
Membership of the ad hoc legislative assembly was drawn from Reps members across the six geopolitical zones.
Speaker Abbas, while inaugurating the committee, urged members to eschew partisanship and charged them to ensure good governance, peace, and prosperity of the state.
“Your task is to oversee Rivers State following Mr President’s emergency proclamation. You must not be partisan or biased,” Abbas cautioned.
Others are Idris Wase (North Central), Aliyu Muktar (North East), Sada Soli (North West), Iduma Igariwey (South East), and Shehu Rijau.
Others include Wole Oke, Akara hi Amadi, Patrick Umoh, Isa Anka and James Faleke among others.
