Rivers Assembly to investigate finances managed by sole administrator Ibas
The Rivers State House of Assembly has resolved to investigate financial transactions carried out during the six-month administration of Ibok-Ete Ibas, who governed the state as sole administrator.
At its first sitting on Thursday following the end of emergency rule, the assembly also called on Governor Siminalayi Fubara to forward a list of commissioner-nominees for screening and confirmation.
The session, presided over by Speaker Martins Amaewhule, was held at the conference hall in the legislative quarters, as the assembly complex remains under reconstruction after being demolished by the state government earlier this year.
President Bola Tinubu had imposed emergency rule on Rivers on March 18 after a political crisis escalated between Governor Fubara and Nyesom Wike, minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The president suspended Fubara, his deputy, Ngozi Nma Odu, and the state lawmakers for six months, appointing Ibas to oversee the state during the period.
On September 17, Tinubu lifted the emergency rule in Rivers, restoring all democratic structures in the state and paving the way for the lawmakers’ return to legislative business.
With the probe resolution, the assembly is set to scrutinise expenditures under Ibas’ administration while simultaneously moving to reconstitute the state’s executive council through the governor’s nominees.
