…as Assembly calls on Fubara to transmit list of commissioner-nominees for immediate screening and confirmation.
PORT HARCOURT, NIGERIA – The iNews Times | The Rivers State House of Assembly has launched a probe into the financial activities carried out under the six-month tenure of Ibok-Ete Ibas, who served as Sole Administrator during the state’s political crisis.
This development followed the lawmakers’ resumption of plenary on Thursday, marking their return to legislative business after months of political stalemate and a federal emergency declaration.
The Assembly, currently presided over by Speaker Martins Amaewhule, also called on Governor Siminalayi Fubara to transmit a list of commissioner-nominees for immediate screening and confirmation.
The legislative sitting comes just days after President Bola Tinubu formally lifted the state of emergency in Rivers on September 17, effectively restoring all democratic structures in the oil-rich state.
The Amaewhule-led assembly appears set on asserting its authority as it moved swiftly to review financial activities carried out during Ibas’ controversial tenure. Ibas had governed without a legislative check after the initial collapse of relations between Governor Fubara and key political stakeholders, including Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike.
While specific details of the probe remain undisclosed, sources within the Assembly say the lawmakers are interested in scrutinizing budget approvals, contract awards, and disbursements made during the six-month period of sole administration.
“The people of Rivers State deserve full accountability for what happened during the emergency period,” a legislative aide, who spoke anonymously, told The iNews Times. “This is about restoring legislative oversight and rebuilding public trust.”
Meanwhile, the state’s legislative complex which was demolished by the Fubara administration earlier this year remains under reconstruction. Despite this, the Assembly held its session at an alternate location amid tight security.
Political observers believe this renewed assertiveness by the Assembly could signal a new phase in the ongoing power tussle between Governor Fubara and his political rivals.
The request for commissioner nominees marks a significant step toward rebuilding a full executive cabinet in the state, which has operated for months with limited administrative capacity.
As Rivers navigates its post-emergency transition, all eyes are on how the probe unfolds and whether it will open deeper fault lines in the state’s fragile political equilibrium.
