••• “Still Finding My Feet,” Ibas Tells Lawmakers Amid Federal Takeover of Rivers Assembly
● Kefas Akase
After a string of no-shows that drew sharp attention, Retired Vice Admiral Ibok Ete Ibas, Sole Administrator of Rivers State, finally faced the House of Representatives’ ad hoc committee investigating the deepening political turmoil in the state.
The long-anticipated meeting, held Friday, April 25, 2025, came after weeks of mounting pressure and rescheduled appearances. Ibas, appointed by President Bola Tinubu in the wake of Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s suspension, used the session to ask for more time before offering a full briefing.
“I sincerely apologise for my earlier absence. I’ve only just assumed this responsibility and am still trying to stabilise,” Ibas said during the meeting, appealing to the lawmakers for patience.
The committee, which is operating under the National Assembly’s constitutional authority to assume the functions of the embattled Rivers State House of Assembly, convened the session behind closed doors after Ibas’ brief remarks. Journalists were asked to step out as deliberations continued privately for roughly an hour.
When the doors reopened, Ibas exited the venue without addressing the media.
Last week, the committee postponed its interactive session with Ibas following a formal request from him, citing his engagement at the National Economic Council (NEC) meeting in Abuja. It marked his first attendance at the NEC since assuming the role of state administrator.
The NEC session, presided over by Vice President Kashim Shettima, was attended by several governors and deputy governors across the federation.
Ibas’s appeal for time now places the burden on the House committee to determine how long it will wait as the federal intervention in Rivers’ political affairs deepens. GMTNewsng
