The Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd.), on Thursday failed to appear before the House of Representatives Ad-Hoc Committee overseeing the state’s affairs, despite a scheduled meeting at 3:00 p.m. in Hearing Room 301 of the National Assembly Complex.
After waiting for over 30 minutes without any communication from the retired Vice Admiral, the visibly displeased committee members, led by House Leader Hon. Julius Ihonvbere, left the venue.
When approached by reporters, members of the panel, headed by Professor Ihonvbere, refused to comment, stating that an official statement would be released at a later time.
This comes after a previously scheduled meeting between the committee and the sole administrator, set for the previous Thursday, was postponed indefinitely.
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According to House spokesperson Hon. Akin Rotimi, that meeting was rescheduled based on a formal request from Ibas.
“The Ad-Hoc Committee on Rivers State Oversight has received a formal request from the Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd.), to reschedule the interactive session initially set for today, April 17, 2025, at 4:00 PM.
“The Committee has acknowledged the request and is in the process of coordinating a new date for the session, and will, in the spirit of transparent and effective oversight, promptly inform the public once the rescheduled date is confirmed,” Rotimi said.
It will be recalled that on April 15, Speaker Abbas Tajudeen inaugurated a 21-member Ad-Hoc Committee tasked with overseeing the emergency administration in Rivers State under the leadership of Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd.) as sole administrator.
This followed the House’s approval of the state of emergency declared by President Bola Tinubu in Rivers State. As part of that resolution, the National Assembly also decided to assume the legislative responsibilities of the Rivers State House of Assembly, in line with Section 11(4) of the Nigerian Constitution.
The committee is chaired by House Majority Leader, Hon. Julius Ihonvbere, with Minority Whip, Hon. Ali Isa J.C., serving as deputy chairman. Other key members include Deputy Majority Whip Hon. Isiaka Ibrahim, former Deputy Speaker Idris Ahmed Wase, Hon. Aliyu Muktar Betara, and Hon. Sada Soli.
Also on the committee are Hon. James Abiodun Faleke, Hon. Igariwey Iduma Enwo, Hon. Shehu Saleh Rijau, Hon. Wole Oke, Hon. Akarachi Etinosa Amadi, Hon. Patrick Umoh, Hon. James Barka, Hon. Alex Egbona, Hon. Isa Anka, Hon. Amos Daniel, Hon. Erhiatake Ibori-Suenu, Hon. Onuh Onyeche Blessing, Hon. Fatima Talba, Hon. Chris Nkwonta, and Hon. Ebibake Marie Enenimiete.
While inaugurating the committee, Speaker Abbas emphasized that the move reaffirmed the House’s commitment to constitutional governance and transparency. He explained that the panel, empowered by Section 5 of the 2025 State of Emergency (Rivers State) Proclamation and pursuant to Section 11(4) of the Constitution, has a clear, non-partisan mandate.
The committee is charged with monitoring the enforcement of federal directives and policies in Rivers State, ensuring the sole administration operates within legal bounds, safeguarding public interest, and helping restore full democratic governance in the state.
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