Ibas finally appears before reps panel overseeing Rivers emergency rule

Ibok-Ete Ibas, the sole administrator of Rivers, has finally appeared before the house of representatives ad hoc committee overseeing the emergency rule in the state.

The meeting held behind closed doors on Friday.

On April 15, Tajudeen Abbas, speaker of the house, inaugurated the 21-member committee to ensure transparent governance and the rule of law in the state.

A day after the committee was constituted, the lawmakers invited the Rivers sole administrator to appear before them on April 17.

Ibas was to address the lawmakers on governance in the state.

However, the sole administrator requested a rescheduling, and the meeting was moved to April 24.

On Thursday, the committee members gathered in the meeting room, but Ibas did not show up.

Julius Ihonvbere, chairman of the committee and leader of the house, declined to speak on the situation.

“No comment,” he told journalists.

BACKGROUND

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

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

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

Fubara reportedly met with Tinubu in London last week as part of moves to resolve the political crisis in the state.