President Bola Tinubu, on Wednesday, held a closed-door meeting with the immediate past Rivers State Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The meeting came just hours after the President had also received Rivers State Governor, Sim Fubara. This development coincides with the Rivers State House of Assembly’s decision to investigate financial dealings during the six-month emergency rule led by Ibas.
At its first sitting since the end of emergency rule, the Assembly, led by Speaker Martin Amaewhule, resolved to probe expenditure from the consolidated revenue fund under Ibas’ administration.The lawmakers further said they would scrutinise contracts awarded and funds spent during the emergency dispensation.
But Ibas dismissed the resolution as nothing more than a political distraction, insisting the lawmakers lacked the constitutional power to question him.Speaking through his Senior Special Adviser on Media, Hector Igbikiowubu, the retired naval chief argued: “Since I was appointed by the President and supervised by the National Assembly, any probe of my actions would be tantamount to probing both institutions.”
Tinubu had on March 18, 2025, declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, suspending Governor Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and all elected lawmakers, following escalating political and security crises.
Ibas was appointed to oversee the state during the emergency period, before handing back power after the expiration of the six-month rule last week.
