The Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, has appealed to the House of Representatives Ad Hoc Committee on the Rivers situation for more time to fully prepare his report on the state’s ongoing developments.
Speaking during a session in Abuja on Friday, Ibas explained the reasons behind his previous absence at two scheduled appearances before the committee—on April 17 and April 24. He stated that the demands of maintaining calm and stability in Rivers were so pressing that they left him unable to honor the earlier invitations.
The retired Navy chief noted that his absence should not be interpreted as neglect or disrespect toward the committee. Rather, he said it was driven by the need to manage sensitive issues in a state that remains in a delicate political and social phase.
He stressed that any report submitted to the committee must be well-prepared and based on accurate and comprehensive information.
“It is important that any engagement with this committee is done with the depth, accuracy, and clarity it rightfully deserves.
“I remain fully committed to cooperating with the committee and to ensuring that all relevant information is made available in due course to support your important work,” he said.
“I only request the understanding and the indulgence of this committee to grant me additional time to adequately prepare and present a comprehensive and constructive briefing, given the complexities and sensitivities surrounding the current transitional period in Rivers.
“It is important that any engagement with this committee is done with the depth, accuracy, and clarity it rightfully deserves.
“I remain fully committed to cooperating with the committee and to ensuring that all relevant information is made available in due course to support your important work,” he said.
Following the closed-door meeting, Committee Chairman, Rep. Julius Ihonvbere (APC-Edo), confirmed that a new date would be given for Ibas’s appearance. He explained that the committee understands the circumstances and remains committed to supporting the transitional process in Rivers State.
Rep. Ihonvbere said the committee’s authority comes directly from the constitution, which gives the National Assembly the right to supervise and approve all aspects of the emergency rule declared in Rivers.
He noted that members of the committee were selected based on regional balance and legislative experience to ensure objective and fair oversight.
“I want you to feel relaxed because the members you see here were carefully selected based on zonal representation and membership of the House to advance the progress that Rivers needs to make to be part and parcel of the holistic structure of democracy that Nigeria represents today,” he said.
