By Gloria Ikibah 

The Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd), has appealed to the House of Representatives Ad-Hoc Committee on Rivers State Oversight for more time to adequately prepare a comprehensive briefing on the current state of affairs in the state.

Speaking during an interactive session with the committee at the National Assembly complex on Thursday, Ibas expressed regret for his inability to honour the committee’s earlier invitations, citing the pressing demands of stabilizing a state under emergency as the primary reason.

“Today is exactly 10 days after the first invitation, and in between, we’ve had four days that were public holidays, plus the weekends. The absence, of course, was not out of disregard, but due to the weighty and urgent demands of stabilizing governance,” he said.

Vice Admiral Ibas acknowledged the vital role of the National Assembly and commended the committee for its commitment to upholding the nation’s democratic and constitutional framework. He described his appearance before the lawmakers as both an honour and a solemn responsibility.

While noting that the situation in Rivers State is currently calm but fragile, he stressed the need for careful and thorough engagement with the committee, particularly given the complexities surrounding the state’s transitional period.

“I only request your understanding and the indulgence of this committee to grant me additional time to adequately prepare and present a comprehensive and constructive briefing,” Ibas said.

The retired naval chief reaffirmed his full commitment to cooperating with the committee and assured members that all relevant information would be made available in due course to support their oversight function.

He also extended appreciation to the press for their role in supporting the federal government’s efforts in the state, concluding with a message of gratitude to the lawmakers for their continued service to the nation.

The House Ad-Hoc Committee was set up to monitor developments in Rivers State following the declaration of a state of emergency amidst political unrest and governance challenges.

“For that state of emergency, the gazette must be sent to the National Assembly for approval. It’s only that approval that gives life to the state of emergency. I repeat that so that you know how critical the National Assembly is to that process,” he said. 

He further referenced Section 11(4) of the Constitution, which empowers the National Assembly to take over the legislative functions of a state assembly when it is unable to function.

“That also means that all functions of the state House of Assembly, including budget approval, must come to the National Assembly and, by implication, this very committee,” he explained.

“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 State needs to make in order to be part and parcel of the holistic structure of democracy that Nigeria represents today,” he said.

He reiterated the committee’s readiness to discharge its duties with diligence and fairness in the interest of the people of Rivers State and Nigeria at large.

“We have demonstrated again and again our preparedness to do this job efficiently and effectively,” he assured.

Prof Ihonvbere acknowledged that the meeting was held at the administrator’s request and expressed optimism that it would mark the beginning of a collaborative process toward restoring stability in the state.

“We are glad you are here as you promised yesterday. This meeting actually at this time was at your instance, and we are happy that you are here. So you are welcome,” he said.

The meeting between the House of Representatives ad hoc committee on Rivers State and the Sole Administrator of the state, Retired Vice Admiral Ibok Ete Ibas, is finally taking place after two postponements.

The House is exercising its constitutional right to take over the functions of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

Ibas apologised for not attending the previous meeting and requests for additional time to prepare to brief the committee.

Recall that the Sole Administrator is barely two months old in office and he has been able to normalise things in the troubled State.

Following his plea to the committee, journalists were then excused and the meeting goes into a closed door session.

The House committee had last week rescheduled its interactive session with the Ibas.

According to the statement announcing the meeting postponement, the change in time followed a formal request from Ibas.

The Rivers Administrator was among state governors attending the National Economic Council (NEC) meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Thursday.

Ibas made his debut appearance at the NEC meeting after his appointment as Sole Administrator for Rivers State by President Bola Tinubu following the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara in March 2025.

Vice President Kashim Shettima presided over the meeting which had in attendance many governors and some deputy governors from across the 36 states of the federation.

No peace yet as
nineteen travellers were abducted in Benue State on Thursday after bandits hijacked two commercial vehicles in Gwer West Local Government Area.

The incident was confirmed by Ter Nagi, Chief Daniel Abomtse, who spoke to journalists via phone.

According to the traditional ruler, the two vehicles involved in the attack—a Picnic bus and a Sharon bus—were carrying approximately 12 passengers each when they were intercepted.

Abomtse said that during the attack, a few individuals were spared, including an elderly woman, a breastfeeding mother with her two children, and one of the drivers.

He added that, “as of Thursday evening, the police had released the spared passengers.”

The Secretary of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), High Level Unit, Yakubu Onu, also confirmed the abduction, stating that one of the vehicles, en route to Lokoja, carried nine passengers, six of whom were taken by the assailants.

He further revealed that the second vehicle, which was travelling from Ankpa in Kogi State to Makurdi, had eight passengers kidnapped at the same location near Naka, the Gwer West LGA headquarters.

“The driver and the three spared passengers reported to Naka police station and were told to continue their journey,” Onu said.

“They complained that they have not heard from those abducted, nor received further information about the passengers from Ankpa.”

Authorities have yet to issue a formal statement on the incident, and the fate of the kidnapped passengers remains unknown.