Abuja, Nigeria
Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (Rtd.), Sole Administrator of Rivers State, has appeared before the House of Representatives Ad-Hoc Committee on the State of Emergency in the State.
Ibas, during his appearance, formally asked the committee to grant him a new date for a more comprehensive engagement with the panel.
DailyAgent reports that the Sole Administrator was summoned to appear before the committee last week, on Thursday, but failed to show up for the interactive session with the lawmakers.
Addressing the lawmakers on Friday, Ibas expressed gratitude to the committee, chaired by House Leader, Prof. Julius Ihonvbere, and acknowledged the critical role it plays in safeguarding democratic and constitutional values.
He said, “The absence, of course, was not out of disregard, but rather due to the weighty and urgent demands of stabilising governance in a state under a declared emergency.”
Ibas added that Rivers State has been “relatively calm, but still fragile,”, saying he needed more time to adequately prepare a detailed and constructive briefing for the committee.
The ad-hoc committee’s chairman in a press statement released after a closed door meeting with Ibas, acknowledged the Sole Administrator’s appearance and accepted his apology.
He noted that the administrator had sent a letter of regret the night before and had demonstrated “respect and responsibility” by showing up in person.
“The Committee has magnanimously accepted his apology,” the statement read.
“Accordingly, the Committee has resolved to proceed with the rescheduled engagement on a date and time to be announced in due course.”
The committee reaffirmed its commitment to impartiality and diligence in line with its constitutional mandate under Sections 11(4) and 88 of the 1999 Constitution, urging all stakeholders to continue supporting the process in the interest of democratic governance and national stability.
Last Tuesday, the speaker, Abbas Tajudeen, inaugurated a 21-member ad-hoc committee, chaired by the leader of the lower chamber, Prof Julius Ihonvbere.
The committee was constituted following the resolution of the National Assembly approving the Presidential Proclamation of a state of emergency in Rivers State.
