The Senate announced on Tuesday that Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (retd), the Sole Administrator of Rivers State, and other key officials will appear before the Joint National Assembly Ad-hoc Committee to defend the state’s 2025 budget.
The move comes as part of legislative oversight following President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of emergency rule in Rivers State on March 18.
The Leader of the Senate and Chairman of the Ad-hoc Committee, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, disclosed this during the committee’s inaugural meeting at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja. He assured Nigerians that the National Assembly is committed to ensuring Rivers State residents are not disadvantaged by the emergency declaration.
“Both chambers of the National Assembly have agreed to hold a joint session to oversee the 2025 budget of the state, which the sole administrator laid before the parliament last week through President Tinubu,” Bamidele stated.
He emphasized the legislature’s determination to uphold accountability, saying:
“It is our understanding with our colleagues in the House of Representatives that the sole administrator and other relevant functionaries of the state will all appear before the joint ad-hoc committee of both chambers of the National Assembly when it is time for them to defend the 2025 budget at the National Assembly.”
Bamidele described the inaugural meeting as “a necessary ritual to enable the committee carry out its assignment and mandate,” adding that the committee would ensure democratic governance continues in Rivers State despite the emergency rule.
“The Senate is committed to the rule of law as well as the tenets of democracy. I am also confident in the pedigree of the members of this ad-hoc committee to deliver on the role of oversighting the activities of the sole administrator of Rivers State,” he said.
The Senate leader outlined the committee’s work plan, noting that the 2025 budget had been presented to the National Assembly by the Sole Administrator through the President.
“The budget is being referred to our committee. The committee has just finalized its workplan as well as the timetable that will ensure proper budget defence by the sole administrator of Rivers State,” Bamidele explained.
He confirmed that the budget defense would involve other key state officials, including the Accountant-General of Rivers State, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Finance, and other economic managers.
“As much as possible, the National Assembly will ensure propriety in the discharge of our oversight functions. We will also ensure that governance does not suffer in Rivers State during the period of emergency rule,” Bamidele assured.
The 18-member committee was constituted by Senate President Godswill Akpabio following President Tinubu’s emergency rule declaration. Its mandate includes monitoring governance in Rivers State and ensuring financial transparency during the emergency period.
