By Abiola Olawale
The Nigerian Senate has constituted an 18-member ad-hoc committee to monitor the activities of Rivers State Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), following the ongoing state of emergency in the oil-rich state.
The committee, led by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, was announced during the Senate’s plenary session on Tuesday, May 6, 2025.
Recall that on March 18, 2025, President Bola Tinubu declared a six-month state of emergency in Rivers State, suspending Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and the state House of Assembly.
The decision followed a prolonged political crisis between Fubara and the state legislature.
Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas was appointed as the Sole Administrator to manage the state’s affairs during this period, with the National Assembly assuming the legislative functions of the suspended state assembly.
During plenary on Tuesday, The President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, tasked the committee with the responsibility of overseeing the operations of the Sole Administrator to ensure adherence to constitutional mandate.
The Senate President charged the committee to commence its oversight duties without delay, stressing the urgency of their assignment and reaffirming the Senate’s commitment to upholding democratic processes in Rivers State.
Members of the committee include Senators Adamu Aliero, Osita Izunaso, Osita Ngwu, Kaka Shehu, Aminu Abass, Tokunbo Abiru, Adeniyi Adebire, Sani Musa, Simon Lalong, Asuquo Ekpeyong, Adams Oshiomhole, Ireti Kingibe, Onyekachi Nwaebonyi, Idiat Adebule, Ede Dafinone, Sabo Mohammed Nakudu, alongside the Clerk of the Senate.
