On April 15, 2025, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, inaugurated a 21-member Ad-Hoc Committee to oversee the administration of Rivers State during the ongoing state of emergency. This move follows President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of emergency rule on March 18, 2025, which suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and the state legislature for six months, citing political instability and pipeline vandalism in the oil-rich state.
Retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas was appointed as the Sole Administrator of Rivers State to manage its affairs during this period. Speaker Abbas emphasized that Ibas’s role is temporary and that he is required to report directly to the National Assembly to ensure transparency and accountability in governance. The Ad-Hoc Committee, chaired by House Leader Rep. Julius Ihonvbere, is tasked with monitoring the implementation of federal directives, ensuring adherence to the law, and facilitating the restoration of democratic governance in Rivers State.
The committee’s formation underscores the National Assembly’s commitment to upholding constitutional order and addressing the challenges facing Rivers State during this emergency period.
