After two delayed appearance, the Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, finally met with the House ad-hoc committee
The Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd.), on Friday, requested for more time to adequately prepare and present a comprehensive and constructive briefing to the House ad-hoc committee on emergency rule.
Parliament Reports recalls that the Sole Administrator was unable to honour the panel’s earlier invitation for two consecutive times.
Ibas, at the maiden interface with the ad-hoc committee, apologised for his absence and asked for additional time to adequately prepare and present a comprehensive and constructive briefing to the legislative panel.
He noted that his absence was not out of disregard for the committee but rather due to the weighty and urgent demands of stabilising governance in a state under emergency rule.
Ibas assured that he was fully committed to cooperating with the committee and ensuring that all relevant information was made available in due course..
“I deeply regret my inability to attend earlier engagements with this esteemed committee, like you rightly said. Today is exactly 10 days after the first invitation and in between, we have had four days that were off calendar as public holidays plus the weekends inclusive.
“The absence, of course, was not out of disregard, but rather due to the weighty and urgent demands of stabilising governance in a state under a declared emergency. I have always held the National Assembly in the highest regard. I recognise the importance of your oversight responsibilities and your interest in the progress being made in Rivers state, which is presently relatively calm, but still fragile.
“That said, I only request your understanding and the indulgence of this committee to grant me additional time to adequately prepare and present a comprehensive and constructive briefing. Given the complexities and sensitivities surrounding the current transitional period in Rivers state, it is important that any engagement with this committee is done with the depth, accuracy and clarity it rightfully deserves.
“I remain fully committed to cooperating with the committee and to ensuring that all relevant information is made available in due course to support your important work. I want to specially thank Mr. Chairman and the distinguished honourable members of this committee for your understanding and continued service to the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” Ibas said.
Responding, chairman of the committee, Rep. Julius Ihonvbere (APC Edo), underscored the National Assembly’s constitutional role in legitimizing and overseeing the emergency declared in the state.
The House Leader stressed that the federal legislature remains pivotal to the transition process.
Ihonvbere acknowledged the administrator’s eventual appearance and reaffirmed the committee’s constitutional authority.
Citing relevant provisions of the 1999 Constitution, he explained that while the President declares a state of emergency under Section 305, it only becomes effective upon National Assembly approval.
“For that state of emergency, the gazette must be sent to the National Assembly for approval. It’s only that approval that gives life to the state of emergency. I repeat that so that you know how critical the National Assembly is to that process,” he stated.
He also referenced Section 11(4), which empowers the National Assembly to assume the legislative functions of a state assembly when it is incapacitated.
“That also means that all functions of the state House of Assembly, including budget approval, must come to the National Assembly and, by implication, this very committee,” Ihonvbere said.
He recalled efforts made by the committee to engage with Ibas from the onset of the crisis, noting earlier delays despite written correspondence.
The chairman urged the administrator to feel at ease, assuring him that the committee members were selected to ensure geopolitical and legislative balance.
He added that a new meeting date would be communicated and a formal update would be issued by the House Spokesman.
