Rivers Assembly to probe state finances under former sole administrator, Ibas

The Rivers State House of Assembly has resolved to scrutinize the state’s financial records covering the six-month period during which Ibok-Ete Ibas served as sole administrator.

The decision was reached on Thursday, as lawmakers reconvened for plenary following the lifting of emergency rule and the restoration of democratic institutions in the state by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The probe is expected to examine how funds were managed during Ibas’ tenure and whether due process was followed in the administration of state resources.

During the sitting, the assembly instructed Governor Siminalayi Fubara to present the 2025 budget for deliberation and approval. Legislators further requested that the governor submit a list of nominees for commissioner positions to undergo screening and confirmation.

Thursday’s plenary, led by Speaker Martins Amaewhule, was held in the conference hall of the legislative quarters, as the main assembly building is still undergoing reconstruction after its demolition earlier this year.

Emergency rule had been imposed on Rivers State on March 18, when President Tinubu intervened in the political standoff between Governor Fubara and Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike.

As part of the measure, Tinubu suspended the governor, his deputy Ngozi Nma Odu, and members of the assembly, while appointing Ibas to administer the state for half a year.