The Senate has announced that the Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), will appear before a joint budget defence session of the National Assembly to provide explanations on the state’s 2025 budget. The session will be conducted by the Joint National Assembly Ad-hoc Committee on Emergency Rule in Rivers State.
This development follows the controversial declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers on 18 March 2025 by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Amid political turbulence and mounting concerns over governance, the National Assembly had swiftly moved to establish a mechanism for oversight.
Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, who serves as Senate Leader and Chairman of the Ad-hoc Committee, disclosed the latest development during the committee’s inaugural meeting on Tuesday at the New Senate Wing of the National Assembly Complex, Abuja.
“The National Assembly is determined to work closely with the House of Representatives’ Ad-hoc Committee to ensure financial propriety and good governance in Rivers State,” Bamidele stated.
“It is our understanding with our colleagues in the House that the sole administrator and other relevant state officials will appear before the joint committee when the time comes to defend the 2025 budget,” he added.
The Ad-hoc Committee, set up by Senate President Godswill Akpabio shortly after the emergency rule declaration, comprises 18 members. It was tasked with supervising governance structures and fiscal activities in Rivers State under the temporary administration.
Tuesday’s inaugural session was attended by key figures, including Senate Chief Whip, Senator Tahir Munguno; Deputy Chief Whip, Senator Peter Nwebonyi; Chairman of the Senate Committee on Land Transport, Senator Adamu Aliero; Chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance, Senator Sani Musa; Chairman of the Senate Committee on Banking, Insurance and Other Financial Institutions, Senator Adetokunbo Abiru; and Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Senator Oluranti Adebule.
Senator Bamidele noted that the 2025 Rivers State budget had been submitted to the legislature the previous week by President Tinubu on behalf of the Sole Administrator. The joint session will be critical in scrutinising the budget to safeguard democratic accountability.
“The Senate remains committed to the rule of law and democratic principles. I have full confidence in the capacity of this committee to effectively oversee the activities of the sole administrator,” Bamidele said.
He went on to emphasise the need for diligence and impartiality in the committee’s operations: “We must be thorough in our oversight role to ensure that the citizens of Rivers State are not disadvantaged by the emergency rule.”
According to the committee chair, the budget defence sessions will include other senior officials such as the accountant-General of Rivers State and the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Finance.
“The 2025 budget of Rivers State, as presented by the Sole Administrator through the Commander-in-Chief, has been referred to this committee. We have finalised our work plan and timetable to guide the budget defence sessions,” Bamidele disclosed.
He assured Nigerians that the National Assembly would not abdicate its oversight responsibilities and would ensure that governance continues effectively in Rivers, despite the exceptional political circumstances.
Background
The imposition of emergency rule in Rivers State earlier this year marked a rare constitutional intervention by the federal government. The move drew mixed reactions, with legal scholars, civil society groups, and political observers raising concerns about the potential implications for federalism, democratic governance, and the autonomy of subnational governments.
While President Tinubu cited a breakdown of law and order as the justification for the emergency declaration, critics argued that the situation did not meet the constitutional threshold for such action. Nevertheless, the Senate endorsed the President’s proclamation and swiftly moved to appoint an Ad-hoc Committee to monitor the administration of the state during the interim period.
As part of its legislative obligations under Section 14 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the National Assembly is mandated to ensure that public funds are properly appropriated and expended. The joint budget defence session therefore serves as a critical check on executive power, even under emergency governance structures.
The Senate’s reaffirmation of its oversight role suggests a commitment to due process, transparency, and democratic accountability.
Senator Bamidele’s repeated emphasis on “financial propriety” and “democratic principles” further indicates an institutional awareness of the extraordinary nature of the situation and the need for restraint and vigilance.
