With the recent termination of the emergency administration in Rivers State, as announced by President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday, demands have intensified for a comprehensive investigation into the six-month stewardship of the Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok Ete Ibas (retd).
Following the lifting of the emergency status, Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and all elected members of the Rivers State House of Assembly officially resumed their duties on Thursday. This marked the end of a period that began on March 18, 2025, when President Tinubu imposed a state of emergency, suspending the governor, his deputy, and the entire state legislature for half a year. The presidential directive was a response to a prolonged political turmoil that jeopardized peace and security in the oil-rich region.
The root of this crisis stemmed from a bitter rivalry between Governor Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, who now serves as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. During the emergency period, President Tinubu played a pivotal role in mediating a reconciliation between the two political figures. With all parties agreeing to set aside their differences and after the successful conduct of the local government elections on August 30, the emergency rule was officially lifted.
Despite the lawmakers returning to plenary sessions on Thursday, Governor Fubara was notably absent at the time of this report.
Debate Over the Legitimacy of Fubara’s Suspension
The suspension of Governor Fubara and the imposition of emergency rule sparked significant controversy. Critics argued that the president lacked constitutional authority to suspend a democratically elected governor. Legal experts pointed out that this action might contravene Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).
Further contention arose over the Senate’s approval of the emergency declaration. Some stakeholders questioned whether the required two-thirds majority of the 469 National Assembly members was genuinely secured, as mandated by law. Additionally, legal practitioners highlighted that the Supreme Court has previously ruled that voice votes cannot substitute for the constitutionally mandated two-thirds majority.
On March 21, leaders of the Ijaw Youth Council, Eastern Zone, escalated the matter by filing a suit against the Federal Government at the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Court of Justice, challenging the legality of the governor’s suspension and the emergency declaration. The case, involving 12 plaintiffs led by Comrade Ibiso Harry, remains pending before both the Supreme Court and the ECOWAS Court.
Restoration of Stability in Rivers State
At a public lecture titled “Good Governance and Democratic Dividends” held in Port Harcourt on Tuesday, Vice Admiral Ibas declared that the nearly two-year political unrest in Rivers State has been effectively resolved. He credited this achievement to divine providence and the collaboration of all stakeholders.
“When we commenced this assignment on March 18, 2025, our primary objective was to restore peace and stability. Thanks to God’s grace and the cooperation of all involved, we have made significant progress,” Ibas stated, referencing the recently concluded local government elections as evidence of restored order.
Supporting Ibas’s assertion, Ikenga Chibike, the Rivers State Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), confirmed the current peaceful atmosphere in the state. Speaking on Wednesday, he expressed optimism that President Tinubu would lift the emergency rule, emphasizing the importance of this decision for the welfare of Rivers State residents.
Calls for Accountability: Investigating Ibas’s Administration
Opposition parties-including the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party (LP), and African Democratic Congress (ADC)-have repeatedly urged a thorough audit of Vice Admiral Ibas’s tenure. They demand transparency regarding the management of state resources during his six-month administration at Brick House.
In an interview, Mr. Leader Sampson, Chairman of the Rivers State chapter of the ADC, stressed the necessity of a detailed inquiry. “For the sake of accountability, Ibas must provide a full report on his stewardship during those six months,” he said. “He should disclose how public funds were utilized, outline the projects undertaken, and clarify the amounts received from both internally generated revenue and federal allocations. If there is nothing to conceal, he should willingly present this information.”
Conversely, Austin Okai, a prominent PDP figure, expressed skepticism about Governor Fubara’s willingness to initiate such a probe. He suggested that investigating Ibas would be tantamount to scrutinizing both Wike and the federal government under President Tinubu. Okai remarked, “While there is nothing inherently wrong with calling for an investigation, political realities and prior agreements between key players make it unlikely. Probing Ibas is essentially probing Wike, and Fubara appears to lack the political resolve to pursue this.”
Meanwhile, the Rivers State House of Assembly has resolved to conduct its own examination of the state’s finances during Ibas’s emergency rule. The legislature also urged Governor Fubara to submit the list of commissioner nominees for screening. Speaker Martins Amaewhule led the plenary session held in the conference hall within the legislative complex, which is still under reconstruction following its demolition earlier this year by the state government.
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