The Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd.), on Friday, April 25, appeared before the House of Representatives Ad-Hoc Committee overseeing the state’s affairs, after missing two previous invitations.
During the closed-door meeting, Ibas apologized for his absence, explaining that his earlier inability to attend was due to the urgent demands of restoring stability in Rivers State, currently under emergency rule. He denied deliberately ignoring the committee, affirming his respect for the National Assembly and its oversight role.
“I regret not attending earlier. My absence was due to the pressing need to stabilize governance in the state. Rivers is now relatively calm, though still fragile,” he said. He requested additional time to properly prepare and present a thorough briefing, stressing the importance of delivering accurate and detailed information given the sensitive nature of the situation.
The committee, chaired by House Leader Hon. Julius Ihonvbere (APC, Edo), accepted the apology and agreed to reschedule the engagement.
“In the spirit of fairness and in recognition of the Administrator’s respectful approach, the committee has accepted his apology. A new date for the briefing will be announced soon,” Ihonvbere said.
He added that the committee remains committed to fulfilling its constitutional duties under Sections 11(4) and 88 of the 1999 Constitution, emphasizing transparency, accountability, and national stability.