The long-awaited meeting between the House of Representatives ad hoc committee on Rivers State and the state’s Sole Administrator, Retired Vice Admiral Ibok Ete Ibas, was finally held after several postponements.
The session, which underscores the House’s constitutional authority to assume the functions of the Rivers State House of Assembly, took place behind closed doors after initial pleasantries.
Ibas began by apologising for his previous absence, citing his recent assumption of office and the need for more time to prepare.
He appealed to the committee for patience, noting that he is still adjusting to his responsibilities. After his request, journalists were asked to leave, and the meeting transitioned into a private session that lasted about an hour.
When the meeting ended after about an hour, Retired Vice Admiral Ibas left without a comment.
The House committee had last week rescheduled its interactive session with the Ibas.
According to the statement announcing the meeting postponement, the change in time followed a formal request from Ibas.
The Rivers Administrator was among state governors attending the National Economic Council (NEC) meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Thursday.
Ibas made his debut appearance at the NEC meeting after his appointment as Sole Administrator for Rivers State by President Bola Tinubu following the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara in March 2025.
Vice President Kashim Shettima presided over the meeting which had in attendance many governors and some deputy governors from across the 36 states of the federation.
What you should know
Retired Vice Admiral Ibok Ete Ibas, the newly appointed Sole Administrator of Rivers State, steps into a politically sensitive position following the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
Ibas, a former Chief of Naval Staff, brings a disciplined military background to civilian governance, a move viewed by many as President Tinubu’s effort to restore order amid political turmoil in the state.
His appearance before the House of Representatives ad hoc committee is critical, as the House has temporarily taken over legislative duties from the Rivers State Assembly.
While Ibas apologized for previous absences and requested more time to acclimate, his interaction with the committee suggests the federal government is keen on stabilizing Rivers State.
The fact that discussions were held behind closed doors points to the sensitive nature of the issues at hand.
His participation in the National Economic Council meeting also signals his formal integration into national governance structures.
As he continues to settle into his role, all eyes remain on how he navigates the complexities of state administration without a functioning local assembly and amid heightened political scrutiny.
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