Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (rtd.), appointed as the Sole Administrator of Rivers State on March 18, 2025, by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is now under the scrutiny of an 18-member Senate committee tasked with ensuring transparency and upholding democratic governance in the state.
This development follows the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, which led to the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and the state House of Assembly for six months, amid a protracted political crisis and concerns over economic sabotage.
Background: A State in Crisis
The appointment of Vice Admiral Ibas, a retired naval officer and former Chief of Naval Staff (2015–2021), came in response to escalating political tensions between Governor Fubara and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, compounded by vandalism of oil infrastructure critical to Nigeria’s economy.
President Tinubu, invoking Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution, declared the state of emergency to restore law and order and stabilize governance in the oil-rich state.
Ibas, who also served as Nigeria’s High Commissioner to Ghana (2021–2023), was sworn in on March 19, 2025, and has since assumed office, emphasizing peace, infrastructure restoration, and stakeholder collaboration.
Since taking office, Ibas has engaged with traditional rulers, civil servants, and local government heads to foster unity and rebuild public trust. He has also appointed administrators for the state’s 23 Local Government Areas and sworn in Prof.
Ibibia Lucky Worika as the Secretary to the State Government, signaling his intent to establish a robust administrative framework. However, his appointment has not been without controversy, with legal challenges questioning its constitutionality and public criticism from figures like Femi Falana (SAN), who argue it breaches democratic principles.
The Senate’s Oversight Role
The establishment of the 18-member Senate committee reflects the National Assembly’s commitment to ensuring accountability during Ibas’ tenure as Sole Administrator.
The committee, whose composition and chair have not been publicly detailed, is tasked with monitoring the administration’s activities to ensure transparency, safeguard public resources, and uphold democratic governance principles, despite the suspension of elected officials.
This oversight is particularly significant given Rivers State’s economic importance as a major oil-producing region and the sensitive nature of the emergency rule.
The Senate’s initiative complements the House of Representatives’ Ad-Hoc Committee on Rivers State Oversight, chaired by Prof. Julius Ihonvbere, which has already engaged Ibas in discussions to assess governance progress.
Ibas’ interactions with the House committee have faced scheduling challenges, with a planned session on April 17, 2025, postponed at his request, and a closed-door meeting eventually held on April 25, 2025.
During these engagements, Ibas apologized for earlier absences, citing the demands of settling into his role, and sought legislative support for his policies aimed at restoring socioeconomic stability.
Ibas’ Mandate and Challenges
Vice Admiral Ibas has articulated a clear mandate: to restore law and order, stabilize the polity, and create conditions for economic growth.
His administration has prioritized infrastructure rehabilitation, as evidenced by his inspections of vandalized facilities in Emohua and Ikwerre Local Government Areas, and collaboration with federal projects like the Bodo-Bonny link road.
Ibas has also emphasized the importance of peace, warning against violence and oil infrastructure sabotage, which he views as detrimental to the Niger Delta’s progress.
However, Ibas faces significant challenges. The suspension of democratic institutions has drawn criticism from political figures, including Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, and the Nigerian Bar Association, who argue it undermines constitutional norms.
A lawsuit filed by Johnmary Jideobi at the Federal High Court in Abuja seeks to void Ibas’ appointment and reinstate the elected governor, highlighting legal risks to his administration. Additionally, public sentiment, as reflected in posts on X, ranges from skepticism about the erosion of democracy to acknowledgment of Ibas’ efforts to stabilize the state.
Implications of Senate Oversight
The Senate committee’s oversight is poised to play a critical role in shaping perceptions of Ibas’ administration. By closely monitoring his policies and financial decisions, the committee aims to prevent abuses of power and ensure that emergency rule does not devolve into unchecked authority.
This is particularly crucial in Rivers State, where political rivalries and economic stakes are high. The committee’s findings could influence the duration of the emergency rule, set to expire in September 2025, and the eventual restoration of democratic institutions.
For Ibas, the committee’s scrutiny presents both an opportunity and a challenge. Cooperation with the Senate could bolster his legitimacy and demonstrate transparency, while any perceived resistance, as seen in his initial absence from House committee meetings, could fuel criticism.
His ability to balance administrative demands with legislative oversight will be key to achieving his goals of peace and development.
What you should know
As the Senate committee begins its work, its interactions with Ibas will likely focus on his progress in stabilizing Rivers State, managing public resources, and addressing the root causes of the political crisis.
The committee’s reports could shape public and legislative confidence in the emergency administration and influence debates about the constitutionality of the state of emergency.
Meanwhile, Ibas continues to call for collective support from stakeholders, emphasizing that sustainable progress requires unity and a rejection of partisan divisions.
The coming months will be pivotal for Rivers State, as Vice Admiral Ibas navigates the complexities of governance under emergency rule, with the Senate committee serving as a critical watchdog.
Whether his administration can deliver on its promises while satisfying legislative and public expectations remains to be seen, but the stakes for Rivers State, and Nigeria’s broader democratic framework—are undeniably high.
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