Rivers: Emergency Ruler Ibas to defend 2025 Budget before NASS

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The Senate has announced that the Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (retd), along with other key state officials, will be required to defend the state’s 2025 budget before the Joint National Assembly Ad-hoc Committee established to oversee the emergency rule imposed in Rivers State. This development comes following the declaration of emergency rule by President Bola Tinubu on March 18, 2025.


At the inaugural meeting of the Joint Ad-hoc Committee, held yesterday at the New Senate Wing of the National Assembly Complex in Abuja, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, Leader of the Senate and Chairman of the Committee, disclosed these plans. He emphasized the committee’s resolve to ensure that the people of Rivers State are not shortchanged or disenfranchised due to the emergency rule.

Following President Tinubu’s declaration, the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, constituted an 18-member committee on emergency rule in Rivers State, appointing Senator Opeyemi Bamidele as chairman.

The committee comprises members from both chambers of the National Assembly and is tasked with overseeing governance, financial propriety, and democratic processes in Rivers State during the emergency period.

Senator Bamidele revealed that both the Senate and the House of Representatives have agreed to hold joint sessions to scrutinize the 2025 budget submitted by the Sole Administrator. The budget was laid before the National Assembly through President Tinubu, marking a critical step in maintaining legislative oversight despite the emergency rule.

Assuring Nigerians of the committee’s commitment, Bamidele stated, “The National Assembly is determined to work closely with members of the House of Representatives’ Ad-hoc Committee to ensure strict financial propriety and promote good governance in Rivers State. We expect the sole administrator and other relevant state officials to appear before the joint committee to defend the budget comprehensively.”

He further explained that the budget defense process would involve not only the Sole Administrator but also other key economic officers of the state, including the Accountant-General, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Finance, and other officials responsible for the state’s fiscal management. This thorough approach is designed to safeguard transparency and accountability during the emergency period.

Highlighting the importance of the inaugural meeting, Bamidele described it as “a necessary ritual” that would enable the committee to fully discharge its mandate. He reassured that despite the emergency rule, democratic governance mechanisms in Rivers State would continue to function under vigilant oversight.

The chairman expressed confidence in the members of the committee, praising their pedigree and dedication. “The Senate is firmly committed to the rule of law and the principles of democracy. I am confident that the committee members will effectively oversee the activities of the Sole Administrator and ensure that governance remains transparent and accountable,” he said.

Senator Bamidele concluded by challenging all committee members to be diligent and meticulous in their oversight duties. He emphasized that the committee’s primary responsibility is to ensure that the citizens of Rivers State are protected from any adverse effects resulting from the emergency rule, particularly regarding the state’s budget and governance.

Bamidele reiterated the committee’s pledge to uphold propriety in all its actions and to guarantee that governance in Rivers State remains uninterrupted and effective during this exceptional period.

“The 2025 budget of Rivers State, having been presented to the National Assembly by the Sole Administrator through the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, is now under our review. We have finalized our workplan and timetable to ensure a thorough budget defense and oversight process,” he stated.

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