There is growing tension in Rivers State following the summoning of suspended governor of the state, Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy by the Sole Administrator of the state, Vice Admiral (Rtd.) Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas.
NATIONAL POST reports that the summon, which was made public on Tuesday, was signed by Prof. Ibibia Lucky Worika, Secretary to the State Government.
“The Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral (Rtd.) Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, CFR, has formally summoned the suspended Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminialayi Fubara, and his Deputy, Dr. Ngozi Ordu, to appear before him for an inquiry into the appointments made under their administration over the past two years.
“Sir Fubara is directed to present all relevant documents and records pertaining to appointments, including justifications and procedures followed during his tenure. The session will also serve as an opportunity for the suspended Governor to provide a clear and detailed explanation as to why he believes he should be reinstated to office.
“Both parties are expected to appear in person as follows:
“Date: Friday, 18th April, 2025
“Time: 10:00am Prompt
“Venue: Conference Room, Rivers State Government House, Port Harcourt
“Attendance is mandatory. This process forms part of the Sole Administrator’s ongoing efforts to restore transparency and accountability and lasting peace in the governance of Rivers State.”
The development, which comes amid the Administrator’s questionable appointments, is raising eyebrows across the country.
Keen observers of the developments in the state are of the opinion that Ibas' summoning of Fubara is humiliating.
Meanwhile, this is coming the same day the House of Representatives announced the takeover of the functions of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
A committee to oversee legislative activities of the Rivers Assembly was inaugurated by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas on Tuesday.
Abbas, while inaugurating the ad-hoc committee on Tuesday, urged the members to legislate on behalf of the suspended Rivers State House of Assembly in line with the provisions of the Constitution.
The committee members are lawmakers drawn from each geopolitical zone of the country.
The Speaker in his address to the ad-hoc members urged them to be non-partisan in discharging their statutory legislative responsibilities, stressing that they should offer quality legislative activities for good governance and in the interest of the oil-rich state.
He said, “Your task is to oversee Rivers State following Mr. President’s emergency proclamation. You must not be partisan or biased."
Present at the event were the House Leader who doubles as the Chairman of the Committee, Prof Julius Ihonvbere, Ali Isah, PDP, Gombe, Deputy Chairman, Idris Wase (North Central), Aliyu Muktar (North East), Sada Soli (North West), Iduma Igariwey (South East), and Shehu Rijau.
Other members include Wole Oke, Akarachi Amadi, Patrick Umoh, and Isa Anka, among others.
Members of the ad hoc committee were also drawn from different political parties in the House of Representatives.