Rivers State: Growing Demand for Ibas’s Probe as Emergency Rule Officially Ends

With the recent announcement by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu declaring an end to the emergency rule in Rivers State, public attention has now shifted towards the demand for a thorough probe into the six-month tenure of Vice Admiral Ibok Ete Ibas (retd), who served as the Sole Administrator during this period.

LMSINT MEDIA reports that following the presidential directive, Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy Dr. Ngozi Odu, and the elected members of the Rivers State House of Assembly officially resumed their respective offices on Thursday.

It will be recalled that the state of emergency was initially imposed on March 18, 2025, leading to the suspension of Governor Fubara, his deputy, and all lawmakers. The drastic decision by President Tinubu was attributed to the prolonged political unrest that had destabilized peace and governance in the oil-rich state.

Background of the Political Crisis in Rivers State

The crisis stemmed from a bitter power struggle between Governor Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, who currently serves as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja. Their face-off created political instability, which necessitated federal intervention.

During the period of emergency rule, President Tinubu successfully mediated peace talks between the two camps, paving the way for reconciliation. This truce, coupled with the successful conduct of the August 30 local government elections, allowed Tinubu to lift the emergency measures.

However, while lawmakers have since reconvened, questions have been raised about the governor’s absence at the time of reporting, further fueling political speculations.

Controversies Surrounding Fubara’s Suspension

The declaration of a state of emergency and the suspension of a democratically elected governor sparked nationwide debates. Critics, including legal experts and political analysts, argued that Tinubu’s decision contradicted Section 305 of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution (as amended).

Concerns were also raised about the Senate’s approval process. Stakeholders pointed out that the two-thirds majority vote of all 469 legislators, which is constitutionally required, was not adhered to. Instead, a voice vote was used—something the Supreme Court of Nigeria had previously ruled as unacceptable when a specific constitutional provision demands numerical voting.

Adding to the controversy, leaders of the Ijaw Youth Council (Eastern Zone) took the matter to the ECOWAS Court of Justice, challenging what they described as the unlawful suspension of the Rivers governor. Despite these legal battles, both the Supreme Court and ECOWAS Court are yet to deliver their final judgments.

Ibas’s Role and Public Statements

During his tenure, Vice Admiral Ibas maintained that his core mandate was to restore stability in Rivers State. At a recent lecture in Port Harcourt themed “Good Governance and Democratic Dividends”, Ibas declared that the nearly two-year political turbulence had finally been brought under control.

He credited the cooperation of political stakeholders and the successful execution of local government elections as proof of restored peace. The Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), through its spokesperson Ikenga Chibike, also affirmed that peace had indeed returned, urging President Tinubu to officially end the emergency rule—a request that has now been granted.

Calls for Probe of Ibas’s Administration

Despite the return of stability, opposition parties including the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party (LP), and the African Democratic Congress (ADC) have intensified calls for a probe into Ibas’s six-month administration.

The Chairman of the Rivers ADC, Leader Sampson, demanded transparency and accountability, stressing that Ibas must provide detailed explanations of how the state’s finances were managed.

“He needs to explain how much Rivers State generated internally, the federal allocations received, and exactly how these funds were utilized,” Sampson said in an interview.

He further insisted that Nigerians deserve to know the specific projects executed and their costs.

Resistance Against Probing Ibas

On the other hand, PDP chieftain Austin Okai suggested that Governor Fubara might lack the political will to initiate a probe. According to him, investigating Ibas would indirectly mean investigating Nyesom Wike and, by extension, the federal government itself.

Okai stated:

“Probing Ibas is like probing Wike, and Fubara no longer has the capacity to take such a step. It could also be seen as a direct challenge to the authority of President Tinubu.”

Rivers State House of Assembly Steps In

Amidst these heated debates, the Rivers State House of Assembly has officially resolved to examine the state’s financial management under Ibas’s administration. Speaker Martins Amaewhule presided over the plenary session held at the temporary legislative quarters, as the main Assembly complex remains under reconstruction.

The House has also called on Governor Fubara to submit a list of commissioner nominees for screening, signaling a gradual return to full democratic governance.