By Kolawole Ojebisi
The House of Representatives Ad-Hoc Committee on Rivers State Oversight has disclosed why an invitation was extended to the Rivers State Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd), to appear before it on Thursday, April 17, 2025.
The rationale behind the Green Chamber’s action was contained in a statement issued by the House Spokesman, Akin Rotimi on Wednesday.
The statement reads in part, “Pursuant to its constitutional mandate to exercise full legislative oversight in accordance with Section 11(4) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the Committee resolved, among other matters, to invite Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd), the Sole Administrator of Rivers State, to appear before it for a comprehensive interactive session.
The statement, which quoted Prof Ihonvbere, added “This engagement is necessary to ascertain the true state of affairs in Rivers State and ensure that the House remains properly guided in the discharge of its oversight responsibilities in the public interest.
“The Sole Administrator is expected to appear before the Committee on Thursday, April 17, 2025, at 4:00 PM, in Room 414, House of Representatives New Building, National Assembly Complex, Abuja.
“A formal letter of invitation has been sent and acknowledged accordingly. This public announcement serves to reinforce transparency in the Committee’s proceedings.
“The Committee reiterates its commitment to fulfilling its duties with diligence, transparency, and strict adherence to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
Recall that following the declaration of emergency rule in Rivers State by President Bola Tinubu and the subsequent appointment of Admiral Ibas to oversee the running of the state for an initial period of six months, the National Assembly, citing Section 11 of the Constitution, resolved to take up the role of the suspended State Assembly.
Also recall that on Tuesday, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, inaugurated a 21-member committee chaired by the House Leader, Prof Julius Ihonvbere, to take up the responsibility and charged members against bias and partisanship.
