Samuel Omang
Former Rivers State Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), has rejected the decision of the Rivers State House of Assembly to investigate government spending during the six months of emergency rule in the state.
Ibas, who left office on September 17 following the end of the emergency proclamation by President Bola Tinubu, argued that the Assembly lacked the powers to probe him, since he was appointed by the President and supervised by the National Assembly.
The House, led by Speaker Martin Amaewhule, had at its first sitting after resumption resolved to examine expenditures made from the consolidated revenue fund during Ibas’s tenure.
Reports indicate that Rivers State received about N254.37bn from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) between March and August 2025. More than 52 per cent of this came from the 13 per cent oil derivation fund, while about N26.31bn was deducted for external debt servicing.
Civil society groups in Rivers, however, are demanding accountability. Coalition of Civil Society Organisations chairman, Enefaa Georgewill, called for a panel of inquiry into allocations and internally generated revenue during the period, alleging mismanagement and stalled projects. The Civil Liberties Organisation also described the emergency government as unconstitutional and insisted that the former administrator must account for public funds.
Responding through his media aide, Hector Igbikiowubu, Ibas described the Assembly’s move as “a fool’s errand,” stressing that any probe would amount to questioning the President and the National Assembly that appointed and supervised him.
Meanwhile, Governor Siminalayi Fubara, who has resumed duties after the end of emergency rule, attended a thanksgiving service in his hometown, urging Rivers people to remain steadfast in prayers as his administration recommits to service and peace.