The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Abbas Tajudeen, on Tuesday charged a newly inaugurated 21-member committee with the responsibility of overseeing governance in Rivers State during the current state of emergency declared by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The committee, chaired by House Majority Leader Prof. Julius Ihonvbere (APC, Edo) and deputized by Minority Whip Hon. Ali Isah (PDP, Gombe), has been mandated to monitor the activities of the state’s sole administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), and ensure strict adherence to constitutional provisions.
Speaker Abbas directed that the sole administrator report directly to the National Assembly for legislative oversight and approval of key administrative decisions. He emphasized that this directive aligns with the National Assembly’s constitutional mandate to legislate for states in instances where their elected assemblies are unable to function.
“Vice Admiral Ibas must report to the National Assembly regularly on his administration’s activities to ensure transparency, accountability, and the protection of public interest,” the Speaker stated.
The development follows President Tinubu’s recent proclamation of a six-month state of emergency in Rivers State, which included the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the dissolution of the state’s House of Assembly.
Highlighting constitutional precedence, Speaker Abbas referenced similar emergency interventions in Plateau State (2004), Ekiti State (2006), and the North East states of Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe (2013), where the National Assembly played a pivotal role in stabilizing governance and ensuring rule of law.
He reiterated that the caretaker administration in Rivers, under Admiral Ibas, is a temporary measure aimed at restoring order and maintaining essential governance until democratic processes are reinstated.
“This committee’s mission is clear and non-partisan. It is our collective responsibility to ensure Rivers State receives the governance it deserves while safeguarding the rights and interests of its citizens,” Speaker Abbas said.
He commended President Tinubu for what he described as a bold and patriotic move in declaring the emergency, noting that the action reflects a strong commitment to national stability and the welfare of the people of Rivers State.
The committee’s operations are guided by the State of Emergency (Rivers State) Proclamation 2025 and Section 11(4) of the 1999 Constitution, with a clear mandate to ensure that the caretaker government operates within the law and prioritizes public interest until the return of full democratic governance.
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