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.
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