Senate President Godswill Akpabio has announced the establishment of 18-member committee tasked with overseeing the activities of Ibok-Ete Ibas, the administrator of Rivers State, as part of efforts to strengthen transparency and accountability in the state’s governance.
This development was during Tuesday’s plenary session, highlighting the importance of the committee’s role in ensuring effective legislative oversight.
“This committee must immediately commence its oversight functions in Rivers,” Akpabio stated, emphasising the urgency of the assignment. He also noted that the composition of the committee might be reviewed after further consultations.
The Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, was appointed chairman of the committee, with several distinguished members named to the team.
These include Adamu Aliero (Kebbi), Osita Izunaso (Imo), Osita Ngwu (Enugu), Kaka Shehu (Borno), Aminu Abass (Adamawa), Tokunbo Abiru (Lagos), and Adeniyi Adegbonmire (Ondo). Other members include Sani Musa (Niger), Simon Lalong (Plateau), Asuquo Ekpeyong (Cross River), Adams Oshiomhole (Edo), Ireti Kingibe (FCT), Onyekachi Nwebonyi (Ebonyi), Idiat Adebule (Lagos), Ede Dafinone (Delta), and Mohammed Nakudu (Jigawa). The clerk of the Senate will also serve as part of the committee.
Akpabio noted the critical nature of the committee’s mandate, stating, “The committee must immediately commence its oversight functions in Rivers.”
He further reassured that the Senate is committed to upholding democratic principles in the state.
This move followed the establishment of a similar oversight body by the House of Representatives on April 15.
The House inaugurated a 21-member ad hoc committee to oversee the emergency rule in Rivers State. Speaker Tajudeen Abbas described the move as a demonstration of Parliament’s “dedication to transparent governance and the rule of law in our country.”