By Ayodele Oni

Inibehe Effiong, a Human Rights Lawyer, has advised suspended Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara not to dignify the summons issued to him by the Sole Administrator of the State, Ibok-Ete Ibas with a response.

In a move which has shocked not a few Nigerians, Ibas, in a statement, summoned Fubara and his Deputy, Dr Ngozi Ordu, to appear before him at Government House, Port Harcourt,  unfailingly, on April 18.

The summons, according to a Special announcement by the  Secretary to the  State Government, SSG, Professor Ibibia Worika, is to enable Fubara explain and justify all the appointments he made since 2023 when he was sworn-in as Governor. The Governor is also to explain the processes used for such appointments.

And as if those were not inexplicable enough, Ibas, also, wants Fubara to explain why he thinks he, Fubara, should be reinstated to office as Governor.

Worika emphasized that the summons is part of an official inquiry into appointments made by Fubara during his almost two years in office.

Reacting to the shocking  development in a post on his X page, Effiong urged Fubara not to dignify the summons with a response. He dismissed it as silly and ridiculous and submitted that this could happen only in Nigeria. He wondered how an impostor would summon a Governor who is shielded by constitutional immunity.

Inibehe: “If Fubara dignifies this silly and ridiculous summons, it means he is not a serious person.

“An unconstitutional impostor is summoning a Governor who is protected by constitutional immunity?

“This madness can only happen in Tinubu’s Nigeria.

Such insolence!”

President Bola Tinubu proclaimed a State of Emergency in Rivers State on February 18, 2025, over the political crisis which engulfed the State since 2023, a product of a quarrel between the Governor and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, now Minister for the Federal Capital Territory, who  was his political godfather. The President suspended the Governor, his Deputy and Members of the State House of Assembly for an initial period of six months, and appointed Ibas, a retired Chief of Naval Staff, as Sole Administrator. Since then, Ibas has been like a hurricane, dismantling everything put in place by a democratically elected Governor and Government, including Commissions, Boards, University Councils and more. He has, also, in defiance to a Court order, appointed Sole Administrators  for Local Government Councils, prompting people to wonder what the agenda is.

The summons issued to Fubara, whose constitutional immunity has not been stripped by any Court is the climax of the confusion and aberration in the State.

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt Hon Tajudeen Abbas,  on Tuesday, April 15, 2025, stressed the imperativeness of the Rivers state Sole Administrator limiting himself to the provisions of basic governance in the State.

The Source reports that the House of Representatives had, on Sunday April 13, set up a 19-member Ad-Hoc Committee to monitor and ensure that the Sole Administrator, Rear Admiral Ibok Ete Ibas, rtd, operates, strictly, within the confines of his approved roles.

There have been growing concerns among not a  few that Ibas has considerably overstepped his mandate with some controversial appointments and decisions.

Speaking during the inauguration of the House Monitoring Committee on Tuesday, Abbas noted that the primary responsibility of Admiral Ibas is to maintain basic governance functions pending when democratic institutions will be restored in the State.

Tajudeen emphasized the need for the Rivers Sole Administrator to operate in line with openness and fairness in the discharge of his duties.

He stressed that in discharging his  functions, Ibas must always refer to the National Assembly, particularly, in matters relating to peace, law and order, as well as good governance.

According to the Speaker, the major function of the Monitoring Committee is to ensure that the system in Rivers complies with the law safeguarding public interests, support the transition back to democratic governance, and also ensure the protection of all interest groups.

He emphasized the importance of handling the assignment in Rivers State with utmost care, noting that the state of emergency has attracted considerable national interest and concern.

According to Abbas, both national and international attention are now on the National Assembly to see how it handles the situation in Rivers state.

“On 18, March, 2025 ,the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed forces of Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, declared a six-month state of emergency in Rivers state.

“This decisive action was taken out of genuine patriotism, and a deep concern for the security and welfare of both the people of Rivers State and our country as a whole.

“In his address, the President emphasized that his intervention was driven by the imperative to restore peace and to ensure that governance continues unhindered.

“His declaration was based on the provisions of Section 305 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) and followed careful deliberation in the face of grave crises threatening public order.

“The President’s extraordinary actions were not taken lightly .They reflect a profound sense of duty and responsibility ,and a recognition that when democratic institutions falter ,decisive action is necessary to protect the interest of the nation .This same sense of duty underpins our proceedings.

“It is instructive to recall past instances where our nation has faced similar challenges .We witnessed state of emergencies in Plateau state in 2004 , and Ekiti state in 2006.

“Similarly, in 2013, President Goodluck Jonathan declared a State of Emergency in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe States after a series of deadly attacks by terrorists and militant groups.

“In those periods of dire security and governance challenges ,the National Assembly assumed a vital role in upholding constitutional order,

“When State institutions were suspended, the intervention of the National Assembly ensured continuity in governance .

“Our actions today are grounded in Section 11(4) of the 1999 Constitution which confers upon us the authority to make laws for any state whose elected legislative body is unable to perform its statutory functions.

“Accordingly, in response to the President’s declaration, and in accordance with our constitutional duty, the official Gazatte of the State of Emergency was duly transmitted to both the House and Senate .

“On 20th March, 2025, the chambers deliberated extensively, and approved the President’s request with significant amendments designed to reinforce democratic safeguards and ensure robust oversight.

“These resolutions were duly forwarded to the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation for implementation.

“The certified true copies of this will be made available to this committee.

“It is Paramount to note that the current adminstration in Rivers State is inherently temporary. With the suspension of the State Governor Mr Siminalayi Fubara, and the entire House of Assembly, a Caretaker Adminstration has been installed under the stewardship of Rear Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Obas Rtd”, Speaker Abbas stated.

Further speaking, Abbas insisted that under the present circumstances,the Sole Administrator is limited in in his mandate.

He explained that it is in the face of the fact that the National Assembly has decided to come up with a committee to monitor and ensure that the Sole Administrator operates within the approved resolutions.

” His role is strictly circumscribed ,as he is charged with maintaining law and order ,and ensuring that the basic functions of governance are met until full democratic governance is restored”, the Speaker said.

He, therefore, enjoined the committee members to be patriotic, and carry out the tasked assigned to them with diligence, transparency and fairness.

He cautioned against using the State of Emergency in the State as an opportunity to engage in the pursuit of vendetta anyone and/or group of persons.

“We act not out of partisan interests ,but in the earnest service of a united and prosperous Nigeria .The eyes of all Nigerians are upon us ,and it is incumbent upon this House ,particularly on the chairman and all members of this esteemed Committee to rise to this historic challenge with courage ,integrity and determination”, Abbas noted .

The Committee is headed by the Majority leader of the House, Prof Julius Ihonvbere, with other members from across the six geo-political zones.

By Ayodele Oni

More facts have emerged on reasons for the alleged resignation of Chief Magistrate Ejike King George from the services of Rivers State Government.

George announced his retirement on Monday, citing the current political turmoil. He said he couldn’t,  in good conscience, work under a quasi Military Government in the State.

But in a reaction on Tuesday, the Rivers Judicial Service Commission (JSC) stated that the retirement of Chief Magistrate Ejike King George is unrelated to the ongoing political crisis in the state.

JSC, in a statement issued on Tuesday by its Acting Secretary, Blessings Vic-Jumbo, refuted claims that George’s retirement was voluntary and politically motivated.

The JSC clarified that George was compulsorily retired by the Commission via a letter dated February 12, 2025, due to disciplinary actions stemming from his extended unauthorized absence from work.

The statement specified that the former Chief Magistrate was absent without official leave from August 25, 2023, to December 2024.

According to Vic-Jumbo, a Disciplinary Panel reviewed George’s conduct, found him culpable, and recommended that he be given the option of voluntary retirement within a specified period.

“When he failed to take this option, the Commission proceeded with compulsory retirement, effective February 10, 2025.”

The JSC emphasized that this action was entirely separate from the current political situation in Rivers State.

The Commission took exception to recent remarks by George, which allegedly implied that his departure was due to the emergence of a “quasi-military administration” in the state.

The Commission firmly labeled George’s assertions as “a contrived falsehood” and “a mischievous action calculated to deceive the public, attract undue sympathy, and undeserved patronage.

“The general public should be properly guided,” the disclaimer concluded, distancing the Judiciary from political interpretations surrounding the former magistrate’s departure.

“This development contributes to the increasing tension and sensitivity surrounding governance and judicial affairs in Rivers State, especially amidst recent political unrest.”

By Ayodele Oni

“Fubara is expected to present documents and records of all the appointments he made, their justifications, procedures followed, and explain why he thinks he should be reinstated as Governor”

The suspended Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara and his Deputy, Ngozi Odu, have been summoned by the Sole Administrator of the State, Retired Ibok-Ete Ibas to appear before him to clarify some appointments made.

The directive by the  administrator to summon the suspended elected Governor and his Deputy, have set tongues on fire and tension rising to high heavens. Questions are also  being asked.

For instance, many are asking: Does the mandate of the Sole Administrator  covers his decision to summon the Governor under any circumstance since he is not appointed to probe the suspended administration.

The summons letter  signed by Prof. Ibibia Lucky Worika, Secretary to the State Government, to Governor Fubara to appear before the sole administrator reads:

“The Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral (Rtd.) Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, CFR, has formally summoned the suspended Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminialayi Fubara, and his Deputy, Dr. Ngozi Ordu, to appear before him for an inquiry into the appointments made under their administration over the past two years.

“Sir Fubara is directed to present all relevant documents and records pertaining to appointments, including justifications and procedures followed during his tenure.

“The session will also serve as an opportunity for the suspended Governor to provide a clear and detailed explanation as to why he believes he should be reinstated to office.

“Both parties are expected to appear in person as follows:

Date: Friday, 18th April, 2025

Time: 10:00am Prompt

Venue: Conference Room, Rivers State Government House, Port Harcourt

“Attendance is mandatory. This process forms part of the Sole Administrator’s ongoing efforts to restore transparency and accountability and lasting peace in the governance of Rivers State.”