The House of Representatives has invited Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd.), the Sole Administrator of Rivers State, to appear before its Ad-Hoc Committee on Rivers State Oversight for an interactive session scheduled for Thursday.
The session will take place at 4 p.m. in Room 414 of the House of Representatives’ New Building at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja.
The invitation was confirmed in a statement released on Wednesday by the House Spokesman, Akin Rotimi.
Committee to Examine Rivers Emergency
The appearance comes just days after the 21-member committee, chaired by House Leader Prof Julius Ihonvbere, was inaugurated by Speaker Abbas Tajudeen.
The ad-hoc committee was established in response to the National Assembly’s resolution to approve President Bola Tinubu’s proclamation of a state of emergency in Rivers State, amid a deepening political crisis.
“This engagement is necessary to ascertain the true state of affairs in Rivers State and ensure that the House remains properly guided in the discharge of its oversight responsibilities in the public interest,” Ihonvbere said during the committee’s inauguration.
Background to the Crisis
A few weeks ago, President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, citing a prolonged political crisis involving the governor, deputy governor, and the state assembly.
As part of the federal intervention, Tinubu suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly. He later appointed Vice Admiral Ibas (rtd.) as interim administrator to manage the affairs of the state.
