Retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, Sole Administrator of Rivers State, on Friday appeared before the House of Representatives Ad-Hoc Committee on Rivers State amid mounting protests over the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
Ibas, who failed to honour an earlier invitation on Thursday due to his attendance at a National Economic Council (NEC) meeting presided over by Vice President Kashim Shettima, met with the committee led by Prof. Julius Ihonvbere at the National Assembly.
Upon arrival, Ibas apologised for his absence the previous day and requested more time to adequately prepare his briefing, citing the need to settle into his new role. Following his appeal, the session proceeded behind closed doors after journalists were excused.
His appearance comes amid intensifying protests across Rivers State, particularly by women from Opobo Kingdom, demanding the immediate reinstatement of Governor Fubara and the end of what they described as an unconstitutional emergency rule.
Dressed in black to symbolize mourning, the protesters gathered at the King Jaja Monument Square on Friday, chanting solidarity songs and praying for peace. Led by Madam Felicia Pepple, President of the Opobo Women Association, the demonstrators marched to Water Side, calling on President Bola Tinubu to reverse the suspension of Fubara and remove Ibas.
The crisis in Rivers stems from a political rift between Governor Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, which prompted President Tinubu to suspend Fubara, his deputy, and the state House of Assembly, invoking emergency powers and appointing Ibas as sole administrator.
The House Committee’s ongoing engagement with Ibas signals federal lawmakers’ intent to assert constitutional oversight and potentially take over legislative functions in the state.