The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, on Monday, officially inaugurated a special committee made up of 21 lawmakers to take over legislative duties for the suspended Rivers State House of Assembly.
The brief but significant ceremony took place at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja. Members of the newly formed committee were drawn from all six geo-political zones of the country.
Speaker Abbas noted that the committee’s responsibility is to temporarily oversee the legislative process in Rivers State, following an emergency proclamation by President Bola Tinubu.
Abbas explained that the need to form this committee arose due to ongoing political tensions and instability in Rivers State, which have disrupted normal legislative activities in the region. According to him, this special team is expected to bring order, stability, and effective governance to the state.
“Your task is to oversee Rivers State following Mr President’s emergency proclamation. You must not be partisan or biased,” he said while addressing the committee.
The Speaker noted that the committee must place the interest of the people of Rivers above all else. He urged the members to carry out their duties with transparency, fairness, and a sense of national duty.
The committee will be led by the House Leader, Professor Julius Ihonvbere, who also serves as its Chairman. Ali Isah, a lawmaker from Gombe State under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), will serve as the Deputy Chairman.
Other lawmakers, civil society observers, and aides were also present at the event.
Speaker Abbas noted that the decision to intervene in Rivers State is not meant to sideline the state’s constitutional rights, but to protect democracy and ensure the people are not left without representation during the current political crisis.
