Coalition asks Tinubu to caution Ibas over ‘abuse of executive powers’ in Rivers

The National Patriotic Coalition (NPC), a coalition of civil society organisations (CSOs) has asked President Bola Tinubu to caution Ibok-Ete Ibas, sole administrator in Rivers state, over “excesses” in the discharge of his duties.

Speaking at a press conference in Lagos, on Wednesday, Declan Ihekaire, the national coordinator of Activists for Good Governance, and Akintunde Adedeji, secretary of the group, alleged that the actions of the sole administrator are inimical to the sustenance of democracy.

In a statement, the coalition said the rumoured probe of Siminalayi Fubara, suspended governor of the Rivers, and his deputy goes beyond the terms of reference for the proclamation of a state of emergency in the state.

The group asked Ibas to take advantage of the 11-man committee the house of representatives set up to oversee legislative duties in Rivers state if he has any axe to grind and not resort to “underhanded tactics and undemocratic means”.

“It is our consistent fear and strongly our avowal that every form of Emergency Rule certainly tilts disproportionately towards the abuse of Executive power, which is inimical to the spirit and tenets of democracy and is therefore an affront to the rule of law, the principle of separation of power and the principle of checks and balance. This is exactly what is happening in Rivers State today,” the statement reads.

“The purported probe of Governor Fubara and his Deputy goes beyond the terms of reference for the proclamation of a State of Emergency in Rivers State. It is a clear exhibition of gross impulsiveness and unintelligent power, drunkenness, and witch-hunt. This must stop immediately, and the Administrator must focus on what he has been asked to do in Rivers State for the next few months, which is to ensure stability in that State.

“It must be noted that Governor Fubara was only suspended but not removed or expelled, nor impeached and still enjoys certain privileges of his office, which invariably includes his immunity.

“It is preposterous and extremely painful that, ever since his assuming the saddle of ruler-ship, the Sole Administrator has revealed an intolerant and vindictive approach to governance in Rivers State and demonstrated clear animosity against the suspended governor.

“This lack of capacity and intolerance smacks of vindictiveness and an orchestrated grandstanding, making many observers feel that he is working more as a stooge and a rubber-stamp of self-serving politicians, and constituting himself into the problem rather than a solution to the challenges of Rivers State.

“Rather than work towards alleviating the difficulties and ameliorating the social challenges of the people of Rivers State, what the Sole Administrator has engaged in so far is alienating certain groups which he perceived are not good enough, creating sectional differences, clannish and political divisiveness, creating schism and orchestrating and fanning the ambers of social and ethnical division and segregation.

“Mr. President will be failing in his obligation if he does not act swiftly to tame the tide of overzealousness, clannish bickering, divisiveness, and power drunkenness demonstrated by the Rivers State Sole Administrator. We call on Mr. President to expeditiously call the Sole Administrator of Rivers State to order and compel him to stop this probe thing as it goes beyond his script.”

BACKGROUND

On March 18, President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers, citing a political crisis.

He also suspended Siminalayi Fubara, governor of the state; his deputy, Ngozi Odu; and all members of the Rivers assembly for a period of six months.

The president appointed Ibas, a retired naval chief, as the state’s sole administrator.

After his appointment, Ibas suspended all political officeholders appointed by Fubara.

Ibas also approved the appointment of administrators for the 23 local government areas of the state, despite court orders restraining him from doing so.

Several stakeholders, including the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) have criticised Ibas over the handling of the state affairs.

There have been protests in the state, demanding the reinstatement of Fubara.