Ibas Appears Before Reps Panel Regarding Rivers Emergency Rule
Ibok-Ete Ibas, the sole administrator of Rivers State, has appeared before the House of Representatives ad hoc committee overseeing the emergency rule in the state. This occurred after failing to appear on two previous occasions. The meeting, aimed at addressing governance in the state, was held behind closed doors on Friday.
Tajudeen Abbas, speaker of the house, had inaugurated the 21-member committee on April 15 to ensure transparent governance and the rule of law in Rivers State. The committee initially invited Ibas to appear on April 17, but he requested a rescheduling. When the rescheduled meeting took place on April 24, Ibas again did not attend, leading to criticism and prompting the committee to suspend the meeting indefinitely.
On Thursday, during his appearance before the committee, Ibas apologized for his earlier absence, attributing it to urgent governance matters and the impact of public holidays. He acknowledged the committee's critical role in safeguarding democratic values and requested a new date for a more comprehensive engagement. He stated that the situation in Rivers State was "relatively calm, but still fragile," and he needed more time to prepare a detailed briefing.
Julius Ihonvbere, chairman of the committee, acknowledged Ibas's appearance and accepted his apology. The committee has resolved to proceed with the rescheduled engagement at a later date. The committee reaffirmed its commitment to impartiality and diligence, urging all stakeholders to support the process in the interest of democratic governance and national stability.
President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State on March 18, citing a prolonged political crisis. He suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and all members of the Rivers assembly for six months, appointing Ibas as the sole administrator. Ibas then suspended all political officeholders appointed by Fubara, leading to criticism and protests demanding Fubara's reinstatement. Fubara reportedly met with Tinubu in London to resolve the political crisis.
