Ibas Assembly Probe Six Month Spending Faces Ibas Rejection

Tension is brewing in Rivers State as the immediate past Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), has dismissed the Rivers State House of Assembly’s decision to investigate how the state’s finances were managed during his six-month emergency tenure. The House, led by Speaker Martin Amaewhule, resumed plenary after the expiration of emergency rule and resolved to probe all expenditures made from March to September 2025.

Ibas, appointed by President Bola Tinubu in March following the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and the state Assembly, oversaw the state for six months under a controversial emergency arrangement. The administrator officially handed over on September 17 after Tinubu directed all suspended officials to return to office.

Records show that Rivers State received ₦254.37 billion from the Federation Account Allocation Committee between March and August 2025. This amounted to an average of ₦42.4 billion monthly. Projections suggest that by September, the figure could climb to nearly ₦297 billion. More than half of the revenue came from the 13% oil derivation, which yielded ₦133.24 billion within the six months. For instance, in March, derivation stood at ₦25.29 billion compared to a statutory allocation of only ₦5.14 billion.

Other sources included VAT, which contributed ₦107.78 billion, making up about 42% of allocations, as well as the Electronic Money Transfer Levy, ecology funds, and exchange rate gains. However, debt servicing eroded much of the inflow, with ₦26.31 billion deducted between March and August for foreign loans. Despite these revenues, Rivers has yet to publish its 2025 Budget Implementation Report, raising concerns about transparency.

Civil society groups in the state have strongly demanded accountability. Enefaa Georgewill, Chairman of the Coalition of Civil Society Organisations, argued that Ibas’ administration operated without legitimacy and that its handling of public funds was questionable. He noted that several key projects, including the state Assembly complex, remained stalled despite the large inflows. He called on Governor Fubara to establish a panel of inquiry into both federal allocations and internally generated revenue.

Similarly, the Civil Liberties Organisation criticised the emergency administration for bypassing constitutional requirements, such as public hearings during budget approval. Its spokesperson, Emma Obe, insisted that no government can operate without accountability and warned that those who mismanage public resources must eventually be held responsible.

Responding through his media aide, Hector Igbikiowubu, Ibas dismissed the Assembly’s probe as futile. He argued that since he was appointed by the President and supervised by the National Assembly, the Rivers lawmakers had no jurisdiction to investigate him. According to him, any attempt to do so would amount to probing both the Presidency and the federal legislature. He described the plan as a “fool’s errand.”

Meanwhile, Governor Fubara, who has resumed duties, urged residents to continue supporting his administration with prayers. Speaking at a thanksgiving service in his hometown, he thanked Rivers people for their intercessions during the crisis and assured them of his commitment to peace, unity, and renewed service delivery.