The immediate past ‘Unconstitutional’ Rivers State Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), and the Rivers State House of Assembly appear set for a showdown after the lawmakers announced plans to probe state expenditure during the six-month emergency rule.
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Ibas’ tenure ended on September 17, when President Bola Tinubu ordered the reinstatement of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and state legislators, after the expiry of the emergency rule declared in March.
At its first plenary after resumption, the Assembly, led by Speaker Martin Amaewhule, resolved to investigate how state funds were managed under Ibas, particularly withdrawals from the consolidated revenue fund, contract awards, and other expenditure.
Findings indicate that Rivers State received at least ₦254.37bn from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) between March and August 2025. Data from the National Bureau of Statistics and FAAC meeting documents show monthly allocations ranging from ₦38.42bn to ₦44.66bn, with 13% oil derivation accounting for over half of inflows at ₦133.24bn.
Despite these allocations, the state has not published its 2025 Budget Implementation Report, raising concerns over transparency. Civil Society Organisations have also queried why major projects, including the stalled Rivers State House of Assembly complex, remain incomplete.
Chairman of the Coalition of Civil Society Organisations in Rivers State, Enefaa Georgewill, described Ibas’ six-month administration as opaque, demanding a panel of inquiry to verify both FAAC inflows and internally generated revenue. He alleged, “We suspect corruption. Almost all the major projects are stalled. The House of Assembly Complex was barely touched. We will press for scrutiny.”
Emma Obe of the Civil Liberties Organisation argued that the entire emergency arrangement was unconstitutional, noting that the state budget was passed by the National Assembly without public hearings or citizen input. “Whatever was done under that arrangement lacked constitutional backing. Accountability must be demanded,” he said.
Reacting, Ibas dismissed the Assembly’s probe, insisting the lawmakers lacked the authority to question him since his appointment was by the President and his administration was supervised by the National Assembly. Speaking through his media aide, Hector Igbikiowubu, the retired Admiral said, “If you didn’t appoint the administrator, you have certain limitations. Probing him amounts to probing the President and the National Assembly. Such an enterprise is a fool’s errand.”
Meanwhile, Governor Fubara, in his first outing after resumption, urged Rivers people to remain steadfast in prayers. Speaking at a thanksgiving service in St. Paul’s Anglican Church, Opobo, he said, “Our being here is private; we came simply to worship in our home church. We cannot thank God enough. When my story ends, this church will lead me to my next journey.”
He thanked the people of Opobo for standing by him during the crisis and emphasised that peace and unity remain essential for the state’s stability and development.
The Rivers political crisis, which began as a power struggle between Fubara and his predecessor, FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, triggered months of instability, culminating in Tinubu’s emergency proclamation. Although peace has returned following reconciliation, the fallout over Ibas’ management of state finances is now emerging as the next flashpoint.
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