The House of Representatives ad-hoc committee on Rivers State oversight, has summoned Rivers State Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral (rtd.) Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, to appear before it on Thursday, April 17, over the ongoing state of emergency rule in the state.
The committee which was constituted by the lower chamber following the National Assembly resolution endorsing President Bola Tinubu’s proclamation of a state of emergency in Rivers made this decision during its inaugural meeting held on Wednesday, April 16, at the National Assembly Complex, Abuja.
The panel took over the function of the suspended Rivers state house of assembly.
The meeting, which followed the formal inauguration of the committee by the. Speaker of the House, Abbas Tajudeen, provided a platform for Members to deliberate on preliminary reports and developments emerging from Rivers State since the Sole Administrator assumed office.
Spokesman of the House, Akin Rotimi, who disclosed this in a statement, said pursuant to its constitutional mandate to exercise full legislative oversight in accordance with Section 11(4) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the Committee resolved, among other matters, to invite Ibas to appear before it for a comprehensive interactive session.
According to the Chairman of the Committee and House Leader, Julius Ihonvbere, the 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.
The Sole Administrator is expected to appear before the Committee on Thursday, April 17, 2025, at 4:00 PM, in Room 414, House of Representatives New Building, National Assembly Complex, Abuja.
“A formal letter of invitation has been sent and acknowledged accordingly. This public announcement serves to reinforce transparency in the Committee’s proceedings,” he said.
“The Committee reiterates its commitment to fulfilling its duties with diligence, transparency, and strict adherence to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”