National Assembly to Rivers Sole Administrator: You Are Constitutionally Bound to Report to Us
Abuja | April 15, 2025 – IDNN Political Desk
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, has issued a constitutional reminder to Rivers State Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), declaring that he is mandated by law to report directly to the National Assembly during the state of emergency currently in place in Rivers State.
Speaking on Tuesday at the inauguration of the 21-member Ad-Hoc Committee on Rivers State, Speaker Abbas emphasized that the 1999 Constitution (as amended) places the responsibility of oversight, transparency, and lawful governance on the National Assembly during periods when a state’s legislature is suspended.
“This Is a Constitutional Duty, Not a Political Ploy” — Speaker Abbas
Addressing members of the newly inaugurated committee, the Speaker clarified the temporary and transitional nature of Ibas’ appointment, urging strict oversight of the administrator’s conduct.
“The administrator is required to operate with the highest levels of transparency and accountability, reporting directly to the National Assembly on all matters that pertain to the peace, order and good government of the state,” Abbas stated.
He referenced Section 11(4) of the Constitution, which empowers the National Assembly to legislate for a state in situations where the House of Assembly cannot perform its functions, such as during a state of emergency.
Why This Matters: Historical Context and Legal Precedent
The declaration comes weeks after President Bola Tinubu imposed a six-month emergency rule on Rivers State on March 18, 2025, following a power struggle between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the suspended State House of Assembly.
Abbas drew parallels with past constitutional crises, recalling similar emergency measures in Plateau (2004), Ekiti (2006), and Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa (2013), where the National Assembly had to step in to uphold democratic continuity.
“This intervention is not an instrument of political vendetta but a constitutional necessity,” he stressed.
“We act not out of partisan interests but in the earnest service of a united and prosperous Nigeria.”
Committee’s Mandate: Monitor, Report, Restore Democracy
The committee, chaired by House Leader Prof. Julius Ihonvbere, is tasked with monitoring the implementation of federal directives, overseeing public expenditure, and engaging stakeholders to ensure a return to democratic governance.
“The state of emergency in Rivers State has generated widespread interest across the nation, and the eyes of all Nigerians are upon us,” Abbas declared.
“This is a mission of national significance.”
He instructed the committee to interface with security agencies, reconcile political actors, and ensure fidelity to the rule of law, warning against any bias or partisanship.
Committee Vows Loyalty to Constitution, Not Politics
In his response, Prof. Ihonvbere pledged the committee’s commitment to objectivity, transparency, and national interest, describing the panel as “the strongest ad-hoc committee ever set up since 2019.”
“With our experience and dedication, I assure you that we will not disappoint the National Assembly or Nigeria,” Ihonvbere said.
The committee is expected to submit routine reports to the House, tracking the effectiveness of emergency governance and making legislative recommendations where necessary.
IDNN ANALYSIS
This development underscores a critical constitutional inflection point in Nigeria’s federal structure. By publicly reminding the Sole Administrator of his reporting obligations, the National Assembly reasserts its supremacy in the democratic chain—even amid executive emergency declarations.
Observers note that while the legality of Tinubu’s emergency rule remains contested in the court of public opinion, the National Assembly’s move to institutionalize oversight signals an effort to maintain balance and guard against executive overreach.
The months ahead will test whether the Rivers emergency will become a model of constitutional rescue—or a cautionary tale of centralized power unchecked.
