The Rivers State Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok Ete Ibas (retd.), has been warned by the House of Representatives against making a law in the state, as he has no constitutional power to do that. The House stated this following the administrator’s move to bring in a new budget, following a state of emergency being declared in the state in March.
In a Punch interview, the House deputy spokesman Philip Agbese said that the Speaker, Tajudeen Abbas, was consulting the leadership of the House in order to set up a committee to monitor the activities of Admiral Ibas.
“The Sole Administrator does not have the authority to carry out the National Assembly’s function of making laws under the current circumstances. The Speaker of the House is consulting with the leadership to establish a committee to oversee the administrator’s activities and ensure that the interests of Rivers State are represented.
We assume that the President has been informed of our resolution regarding the administrator’s appointment and mandate. Should the administrator exceed his authority, the House will take necessary actions, including the possibility of a vote of no confidence, to ensure accountability and adherence to the rule of law.”
Admiral Ibas issued a statement last week to allocate a new budget to operate the state for the period of six months. The move has been sharply criticized by various individuals who hold the view that he is not authorized to issue such a statement.
