The Senate on Tuesday confirmed that Ibas Ibok-Ete, the Sole Administrator of Rivers State, alongside key State officials, will appear before a Joint Ad-hoc Committee of the National Assembly to defend the State’s 2025 budget.
This disclosure was made during the inaugural meeting of the Senate Ad-hoc Committee on Emergency Rule in Rivers State, held at the New Senate Wing of the National Assembly complex in Abuja.
Opeyemi Bamidele, the Chairman of the Committee and Senate Leader, stated that the legislative body remains committed to ensuring accountability and effective governance in Rivers State during the period of emergency rule declared by President Bola Tinubu on March 18, 2025.
“The National Assembly is determined to work closely with members of the House of Representatives Ad-hoc Committee to Oversee Emergency Rule in Rivers State to ensure financial propriety and good governance,” Bamidele affirmed during the meeting.
He added, “It is our understanding with our colleagues in the House of Representatives that the sole administrator and other relevant functionaries of the state will all appear before the joint ad-hoc committee of both chambers of the National Assembly when it is time for them to defend the 2025 budget at the National Assembly.”
Bamidele reiterated the Senate’s commitment to protecting democratic processes in the state, despite the exceptional governance arrangement in place.
“The Senate is committed to the rule of law as well as the tenets of democracy.
“I am also confident in the pedigree of the members of this ad-hoc committee to deliver on the role of oversighting the activities of the sole administrator of Rivers State”, he said.
He also urged the Committee members to remain diligent and meticulous in their oversight responsibilities to ensure that the people of Rivers State do not suffer due to the ongoing emergency rule.
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According to Bamidele, the 2025 budget was submitted to the National Assembly by the Sole Administrator through President Tinubu and has since been referred to the joint committee for thorough scrutiny.
“The Committee has just finalised on its workplan as well as the timetable that will ensure proper budget defence by the sole administrator of Rivers State.
“The budget defence will involve other state officials, especially the Accountant-General of Rivers State, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Finance, and other relevant economic officers”, he noted.
He assured Nigerians that the National Assembly would uphold strict oversight standards to guarantee transparency and maintain governance efficiency in Rivers State throughout the emergency period.
Also in attendance at the inaugural meeting were senior lawmakers including Tahir Munguno, Chief Whip of the Senate; Peter Nwebonyi, Deputy Chief Whip; and Chairpersons of several key Senate Committees; Finance, Banking, Humanitarian Affairs, and Land Transport.
