The Federal Government has announced that funds allocated to Rivers State will be given to the state’s Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ette Ibas.
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It also defended President Bola Tinubu’s decision to declare a state of emergency in Rivers, saying it was necessary to prevent a complete breakdown of order.
The government dismissed claims that former Rivers Governor and current FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, played a role in the political crisis that led to the emergency declaration.
Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, made these statements while addressing journalists at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Wednesday.
When asked whether the Federal Government would still release the state’s allocation despite the situation, Fagbemi said the funds would be made available if the Administrator requested them.
“And to me, it will be in order for the release of that fund because the event of the extraordinary situation has brought them out of the normal situation of things,” he said.
Defending Tinubu’s intervention, he added, “We have about two years into the administration in the state. Now, when do you think he should have acted? Should he have waited until everything was destroyed? I don’t think so.
“I think the President acted at the right time. He gave all parties a chance to resolve their differences. Before then, he had called them together and tried to mediate,” Fagbemi stated.
On Tuesday, President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State and suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and all elected members of the state House of Assembly for six months.
He explained that the move was necessary to restore stability in the state, which has been facing political unrest due to conflicts between the governor and lawmakers.
As part of the emergency measures, Tinubu appointed former Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Ibokette Ibas, as the administrator of Rivers State.
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