The Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Ibok-Ete Ibas, has formally appealed to the National Assembly’s Ad-hoc Committee for additional time to present a thorough briefing on the current situation in the state, citing the sensitive nature of the security and political environment under the existing state of emergency.
Appearing before the committee at the National Assembly on Friday, Ibas began his address by commending the leadership and oversight role of the committee, describing it as essential to the preservation of Nigeria’s democratic and constitutional integrity.
“Mr. Chairman, please permit me to begin by respectfully acknowledging your leadership and the critical role of this committee in safeguarding the democratic and constitutional integrity of our great nation,” he stated.
Ibas used the opportunity to express his regret for missing previous engagements with the committee, attributing his absence not to negligence but to pressing administrative duties tied to the state’s ongoing emergency situation. He explained that since receiving the initial invitation, several non-working days—including public holidays and weekends—contributed to the delay.
“I deeply regret my inability to attend earlier engagements with this esteemed committee… Today marks exactly 10 days since the first invitation was issued. Within that period, we observed four public holidays along with weekends, which understandably affected scheduling,” he explained.
Highlighting the challenges of administering a state currently under emergency rule, Ibas reiterated his respect for the legislative arm’s oversight mandate. He stressed that his absence was necessitated by the urgent need to maintain stability and order in a tense and delicate environment.
“The absence, of course, was not out of disregard, but rather due to the weighty and urgent demands of stabilising governance in a state under a declared emergency,” he added.
While he acknowledged that the situation in Rivers State has remained “relatively calm,” Ibas warned that the environment is still “fragile” and must be managed with great care. He appealed to the committee for patience and additional time to prepare a report that is both comprehensive and precise.
“It is important that any engagement with this committee is done with the depth, accuracy, and clarity it rightfully deserves,” he stressed.
Ibas reaffirmed his dedication to collaborating fully with the committee and expressed appreciation to both lawmakers and the media for their roles in supporting the federal government’s interventions in Rivers State.
“I remain fully committed to cooperating with the committee and to ensuring that all relevant information is made available in due course. I want to specially thank Mr. Chairman and the distinguished honourable members of this committee. I also want to thank members of the press for the role they’ve played in supporting the efforts of the federal government,” he concluded.
The committee is expected to deliberate on Ibas’ request and determine its next course of action regarding oversight and transitional governance in Rivers State.
