.Says “l ‘ve sweeping powers to handle issues”
.As Rep members frown at Ibas’ refusal to honour summons the second time
JONAS EZIEKE, Abuja and EMMANUEL NLEWEDUM, Port Harcourt
The Rivers State Sole Administrator, Retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, has issued a stern warning to pro-Fubara protesters in the state, calling for his removal and reinstatement of the suspended Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara and all democratically elected officials of the state.
Recall that President Bola Tinubu on March 18, 2025, declared a state of emergency in Rivers State following a reported explosion attack on oil facilities in the state. He also suspended the state Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Professor Ngozi Odu and the State House of Assembly and appointed Ibas as Sole Administrator of the State, for an initial six months.
Ibas’ arrival to Rivers State as the Sole Administrator, after the declaration of emergency rule has been greeted with series of protests and counter-protests, with the majority of the protesters calling for the reinstatement of their democratically elected governor and other officials.
Reacting to the protesters, the Senior Special Adviser on Media to Vice Admiral Ibas (Rtd.), Hector Igbikiowubo, warned supporters of the suspended Governor Fubara to exercise restraint following the ongoing protests against the Sole Administrator.
He reminded the pro-Fubara protesters that the gazette imposing emergency rule in the state granted the sole administrator “sweeping powers.”
He said the pro-Fubara protests by their continued actions are testing the will of the administrator, and former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (Rtd.).
Igbikiowubo explained that the sole administrator had chosen to exercise restraint rather than use the broad powers granted to him by the gazette.
He said, “The fact that people are able to protest speaks to the administrator’s level of tolerance. If you check the gazette declaring emergency rule, you will see that it grants the administrator sweeping powers. Yes, sweeping powers. But fortunately for Rivers residents, the administrator has exercised restraint.
“These protests, for whatever reason, are testing the administrator’s will.”
He advised the Rivers residents, especially supporters of the suspended Governor, Fubara, to instead join hands with the State Administrator to achieve sustainable peace and the restoration of democratic institutions in the state.
“We urge Rivers residents to be restrained. It is important that we allow a cool head to prevail at this time. All hands must be on deck to restore democratic institutions, stressing that peace and restoration of democratic institutions in the state will not be achieved through protests, harassment, or attempts to intimidate the administrator,” he added.
He disclosed that the Sole Administrator, as part of his peace-building efforts, has been taking steps to address the concerns of the protesters through engagement with various stakeholder groups in the state.
“The administrator met with the leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria in the state on Tuesday. They had lengthy discussions, and the CAN leadership provided advice on the way forward and the things they would like to see done. This meeting took place at the administrator’s initiative, and he is making arrangements to meet with other important stakeholders in the state.”
According to him, the engagements with CAN and other stakeholders reflect the administrator’s commitment to restoring democracy in Rivers State.
“This speaks to his preparedness, his mindset. He is fully committed to restoring democracy in Rivers State,” he stated.
However, Members of the House of Representatives Ad-hoc Committee on Rivers State Emergency Rule on Thursday were disappointed as the rescheduled meeting with the Rivers State Administrator, Vice-Admiral Ibokete Ekwe Ibas did not hold due to his absence
The Ad-hoc Committee Chaired by the House Leader Hon Prof. Julius Ihonvbere which was inaugurated on Tuesday April 15, 2025 was described as the most powerful Ad-hoc Committee of the green chamber since 1999 by the House Leader.
The House Committee Chairman and members had initially fixed an interactive meeting with the Rivers State Administrator on Thursday, April 17, 2025 at 4:00 pm at the House Wing of the National Assembly.
However, in a press statement issued to newsmen by the House Spokesman, he said that the Ad-Hoc Committee on Rivers State Oversight has received a formal request from the Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd.), to reschedule the interactive session initially set for today, April 17, 2025, at 4:00 PM.
The Committee he further stated has acknowledged the request and is in the process of coordinating a new date for the session, and will, in the spirit of transparent and effective oversight, promptly informed the public once the rescheduled date is confirmed.
It turned out that the House Committee later rescheduled the interactive meeting with the Rivers State Sole Administrator on Thursda,y April 24, 2025 at Conference Hall 301, House Wing at 3:00pm but the meeting was not held.
Lawmakers who later held a brief closed-door meeting without the invited retired Naval Chief later left the venue of the meeting with aggrieved faces as it turned out a huge disappointment against their expectations
It was obvious to the pressmen and other invited guests that the Rivers Sole Administrator neither sent a letter to the House Ad-hoc Committee nor sent in a representative to the meeting.
The House Speaker Hon.Dr.Tajudeen Abass had during the inauguration of the House Ad-hoc Committee charged the members to effectively carry out oversight of the Rivers State Emergency Rule in line with constitutional provisions under section 11 of the 1999 Construction (as amended).
He also reasserted the powers of the House under sections 88 and 89 of the ground num to invite any person, authority or agency to the parliament for the purposes of carrying out investigation into any matter upon which the House is constitutionally empowered to make laws for the purpose of law, order and good governance of the federation or any part thereof.
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