Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, the Sole Administrator of Rivers State, has again failed to appear before the House of Representatives Ad-Hoc Committee on Rivers Oversight, raising fresh concerns about transparency and governance in the state.
The committee, chaired by Rep. Julius Ihonvbere and inaugurated by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas on April 15, 2025, had invited Ibas to an interactive session initially scheduled for April 17 and later postponed to April 24 at his request. However, despite being in Abuja for a National Economic Council meeting, Ibas did not attend.
His absence adds another layer of uncertainty to the ongoing Rivers State leadership crisis, which has gripped public attention in recent weeks. Lawmakers exited Committee Room 301 at the National Assembly without making any public statement. When approached by the press, Rep. Ihonvbere simply said, “No comment.”
In a separate move that has sparked panic among local officials, Ibas directed all Rivers State local government chairpersons to submit their financial reports for the past two years. This unexpected directive has raised eyebrows and added pressure to an already tense political atmosphere.
It also remains unclear whether a formal letter of invitation was delivered to or acknowledged by Ibas, as the committee has provided no further details. The meeting with the Sole Administrator has now been postponed indefinitely.
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The repeated absences and lack of communication have only fueled speculation and deepened the Rivers State leadership crisis, especially at a time when residents and stakeholders are demanding greater accountability.
Political analysts warn that the Rivers State leadership crisis may worsen if engagement between the administrator and the federal legislative arm continues to stall—particularly as issues of financial transparency and governance remain unresolved.
