Rivers Emergency Rule: Ibas requests more time to brief Reps Committee

The Rivers State Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, Rtd on Friday requested for more time to be able to brief the House of Representatives Ad-Hoc Committee over sighting Rivers State.

The Committee chaired by Prof. Julius Ihovbere summoned the Administrator for a briefing on Thursday, but he couldn’t make it due to other engagement at the National Executive Committee meeting.

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Appearing on Friday before the Committee at the National Assembly, Ibas after apologizing for his inability to make it on Thursday, urged the Committee to allow him time to properly brief the Committee.

It was recalled that he was summoned by the Committee on 17th and 24th April, 2025, but could only appear before the Committee today.

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During his brief appearance, he told the Committee the regard he owed them and would not disregard them, seeking their patience as his absence on the previous scheduled meeting was due to weighty and urgent demands of stabilizing governance in Rivers State.

According to him, the oversight responsibility of lawmakers is well understood to him and will not take them for granted for whatsoever, while thanking the Committee for their interest in peace in Rivers and across the country.

He said Rivers is relatively calm and peaceful, but still fragile which requires all well-meaning Nigerians to get involved in ensuring permanent peace in the State.1

The Administrator promised to brief the Committee details of development in Rivers in due course, stressing that he will ensure governance in the State is stabilized before the next meeting with them.

“I remain fully committed to cooperating with the committee and to ensuring that all relevant information is made available in due course to support your important work,” he said.

“I only request the understanding and the indulgence of this committee to grant me additional time to adequately prepare and present a comprehensive and constructive briefing, given the complexities and sensitivities surrounding the current transitional period in Rivers.”

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