The Rivers State House of Assembly has launched an investigation into the state’s finances during the six-month emergency rule administered by Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), sparking a fresh round of political tension.
At its first sitting after the end of the emergency period, the Assembly, led by Speaker Martin Amaewhule, resolved to scrutinise withdrawals from the consolidated revenue fund, contracts awarded, and other expenditures under Ibas’ tenure.
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Findings show that Rivers State received N254.37 billion from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) between March and August 2025. An analysis revealed that 52.4 per cent of the inflows came from the 13 per cent oil derivation.
Despite these large allocations, the state failed to publish its 2025 Budget Implementation Report, leaving citizens without official details on how the funds were spent.
Ibas Rejects Probe, Says Lawmakers Lack Authority
Reacting to the Assembly’s move, Ibas dismissed the probe, describing it as futile. Through his Senior Special Adviser on Media, Hector Igbikiowubu, he argued that the lawmakers lacked the power to question his administration since they did not appoint him.
“When you say they are going to probe the tenure of the administrator, was it the Assembly that appointed the administrator? If you didn’t appoint the administrator, it stands to reason that you have certain limitations,” Ibas said.
He further maintained that since he was appointed by President Bola Tinubu and supervised by the National Assembly, any probe into his stewardship would amount to probing both institutions.
“When you reason that the administrator was supervised by the National Assembly, it goes without saying that probing the administrator means probing the president and the National Assembly. Such an enterprise amounts to a fool’s errand,” he declared.
Opposition Leaders Fault Tinubu Over Emergency Rule
Meanwhile, opposition leaders Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi criticised President Tinubu over the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara during the Rivers crisis.
In separate statements posted on their official X (formerly Twitter) accounts, both leaders said Tinubu’s imposition of emergency rule in the state was “unconstitutional” and should not be celebrated, even though democratic governance has now been restored.
Rafiyat Sadiq is a political, justice, and human rights reporter with Pinnacle Daily, known for fearless reporting and impactful storytelling. At Pinnacle Daily, she brings clarity and depth to issues shaping governance, democracy, and the protection of citizens’ rights.
