The River State Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd,), was expected to appear before the House of Representatives Committee overseeing the state’s administration under the emergency rule on Thursday but did not attend the meeting.
The Committee Chairman, Prof Julius Ihonvbere, conducted a closed-door session with committee members, lasting about 50 minutes, but declined to speak to the press afterward.
Journalists were left disappointed as the committee members refused to comment.
The meeting included prominent lawmakers such as Deputy Chief Whip, Ali Isah, and the chairpersons of various House committees, including those for Federal Character, Finance, Water Resources, and Health Services.
While no official reason was provided for Admiral Ibas’s absence, a source informed The PUNCH that Ibas will now meet with the committee on Friday, April 25, 2025, at 10 am in the National Assembly Complex.
The Sole Administrator’s participation at the National Economic Council meeting, chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima, could explain his absence.
Meanwhile, protests continued in Rivers State as hundreds of women from the Opobo Kingdom marched to demand the immediate reinstatement of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, whose suspension followed the declaration of a state of emergency in the state.
The women rejected the appointment of a Sole Administrator to manage the state’s affairs, calling the emergency rule unconstitutional.
The protest, led by the President of the Opobo Women Association,Felicia Pepple, began with a solemn prayer session at King Jaja Monument Square, with the women wearing black to seek divine intervention.
A cleric, Venerable Michael Dappa, delivered a sermon that inspired the protesters. The women then marched to the Water Side, chanting, “Bring back our Governor,” and sat on the ground in protest.
Pepple emphasised the governor’s positive contributions to the state’s development and appealed to President Bola Tinubu to reinstate Fubara: “We voted for our peaceful and amiable Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara; we say no to emergency rule.” She urged Nigerians to support their cause and decried the hardship faced by the people of Rivers State under the emergency rule.
A resident, Blessing Accra-Jaja, lamented that the town’s once-bustling landmarks, like King Jaja Monument Square and local hotels, had become deserted.
She called on the National Assembly Reconciliation Committee and President Tinubu to reinstate Governor Fubara, hoping it would restore peace and the town’s festive spirit.
The Rivers Women Unite Prayer Group also expressed concern over the ongoing emergency rule, calling on President Tinubu to end the crisis.
They warned that the economy of Rivers State was deteriorating, causing hardship for women, youths, and children. In a prayer rally held in Port Harcourt, the group urged the president to lift the emergency rule, restore the state’s democratic institutions, and return Governor Fubara to office.
group’s statement, signed by Dr. Vivian Ige-Elenwo and Chikodi Okpara, appealed for reconciliation and an end to the political standoff, emphasising the need for urgent action to save the state’s economy and improve the living conditions of its people.
The women expressed unwavering support for President Tinubu but remained firm in their demand for justice, equity, and the return of their elected governor.
The statement also called for greater security measures in the wake of recent attacks in Plateau, Benue, and Gombe states, highlighting the need for sustainable peace and development in the country.
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