ABUJA, Nigeria – Ibok-Ete Ibas, the sole administrator of Rivers State, failed to attend a scheduled meeting with the House of Representatives ad hoc committee overseeing the emergency rule in the state on Thursday, April 24, 2025.
The committee, inaugurated on Tuesday, April 15, 2025, by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, was set up to ensure transparent governance and uphold the rule of law in Rivers.
A day after the committee’s formation, the lawmakers invited Ibas to appear before them on Thursday, April 17, 2025, to discuss the state’s governance under the ongoing emergency rule.
However, Ibas requested a rescheduling, leading to the meeting being postponed to Thursday, April 24, 2025.
Despite this, Ibas once again did not honor the invitation on Thursday, April 24, 2025, leaving the committee members waiting in vain.
When questioned by journalists about Ibas’ absence, committee chairman Julius Ihonvbere, who is also the leader of the House, declined to comment, simply stating, “No comment.”
Earlier that day, Ibas attended the National Economic Council (NEC) meeting at the State House in Abuja, where he joined other officials in national discussions.
The political crisis in Rivers escalated on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, when President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in the state, citing ongoing instability.
Tinubu also suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and all members of the state assembly for six months.
Ibas, a retired naval chief, was appointed as the state’s sole administrator and subsequently suspended all political officeholders appointed by Fubara.
Ibas’ handling of the state’s affairs has been met with considerable criticism, particularly from groups like the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF).
There have also been protests in Rivers demanding the reinstatement of Fubara.
Reports indicate that Fubara met with President Tinubu in London last week in an effort to resolve the political impasse in the state.
