The Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (rtd), alongside other key state officials, is expected to appear before a Joint Ad-hoc Committee of the National Assembly to defend the state’s 2025 budget.
This was disclosed on Tuesday during the inaugural meeting of the Senate Ad-hoc Committee on Emergency Rule in Rivers State, held at the New Senate Wing of the National Assembly Complex, Abuja.
The Senate Leader and Chairman of the Committee, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele (Ekiti Central), said the joint committee comprised members from both the Senate and the House of Representatives will provide strict oversight to ensure transparency, accountability, and continuity of governance in Rivers State.
He said: “The sole administrator and other relevant state functionaries will appear before the joint ad-hoc committee when it is time to defend the 2025 budget. The National Assembly is determined to work in the interest of the people of Rivers State, even under emergency rule.”
The committee was established following President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s declaration of emergency rule in Rivers State on March 18, 2025, with a mandate to oversee governance activities during the transitional period.
Also in attendance at the inaugural meeting were the Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Tahir Munguno; Deputy Chief Whip, Senator Peter Nwebonyi; and other ranking senators including Senator Adamu Aliero, Senator Sani Musa, Senator Adetokunbo Abiru, and Senator Oluranti Adebule.
Bamidele assured that governance will not suffer under emergency rule, stressing that the budget defence will include the Accountant-General of Rivers State, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Finance, and other economic officials.
“The 2025 budget has been presented to the National Assembly through the Commander-in-Chief. Our committee has finalized its work plan and timetable to ensure a thorough defence process,” he said.
He called on members of the committee to be diligent in discharging their oversight duties, affirming the Senate’s commitment to democracy, good governance, and the rule of law.
