BREAKING: House Speaker Abbas Inaugurates 21-Man Committee To Oversee Rivers Administrator
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, has inaugurated a 21-man committee to oversee the affairs of the sole administration in Rivers State.
The Speaker stated that with the declaration of emergency in Rivers State by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, and dissolution of the state House of Assembly, the National Assembly has the constitutional responsibility of making and amending laws for the state.
While charging the House Ad-Hoc Committee on Rivers State Oversight with monitoring the activities of the Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), Abbas asked the administrator to report to the National Assembly for legislative approvals.
He said, “It is instructive to recall past instances where our nation has faced similar challenges. We witnessed state 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 Gazette 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 administration in Rivers State is inherently temporary. With the suspension of the State Governor, Mr. Siminalayi Fubara, and the entire House of Assembly, a caretaker administration has been installed under the stewardship of Rear Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (retd.).
“His role is strictly circumscribed, as he is charged with maintaining law and order and ensuring that the basic functions of governance are met only until full democratic governance is restored”
“The administrator is required to operate with the highest levels of transparency and accountability, reporting directly to the National Assembly on all matters that pertain to the peace, order and good government of the State as prescribed by the Constitution.”
The Speaker noted that the moment marked not only a critical milestone in the parliament’s constitutional mandate but also a display of the lawmakers’ dedication to transparent governance and the rule of law in the country.
