The reinstated Rivers State House of Assembly has demanded the probe of the financial transactions of the former sole administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (Rtd.) in the last six months he piloted the affairs of the state.
They disclosed this during resumed plenary following the expiration of the emergency rule declared in the state by President Bola Tinubu on March 18 following the political crisis in the state.
The lawmakers conveyed their request in a motion sponsored by nine members of the house, .Hon. Major Jack, House Leader, Hon. Linda Somiari Stewart, Deputy Leader, Hon. Sylvanus Nwankwo, Omuma Constituency and Hon.Granville Wellington, Asari-Toru Constituency.
Other members are Hon. Justina Emeji, Emohua Constituency, Hon. Barile Nwakoh, Khana Constituency, Hon.Igwe Obey Aforji-Eleme Constituency, Hon. Enemi Alabo George-Asari-Toru Constituency II, Hon. Tonye Adoki Smart-Port Harcourt Constituency ll.
The Leader of the House, who read the motion to the Speaker, Hon. Martin Amaewhule, emphasised that the emergency rule ended 12am Thursday, stressing that the decision restored all democratic structures in the state.
He said that there was a peace parley that ushered in peace in the state, noting that the peace must be sustained.
Jack added that one of the gains of the emergency rule was the successful conduct of local government elections on the August, 30, that produced the 23 Local Government Area chairmen and Councillors, stating that the House is aware that the Rivers State Executive Council needs to be fully constituted inline with the provisions of the Constitution and terms of the peace parley.
He also noted that there is need to synergize witn the Governor towards setting out a financial plan or budget that will reflect the current yearnings or the good people of the state knowing fully well that the Governor and the House never sighted and made no input to the budget implemented during the Emergency rule.
The motion said:“There are several awards of contracts and funds spent from the Consolidated Revenue Account of the State for this purpose during the emergency rule by the outgone administrator and that there is the need to come up with a true picture of what transpired.
“Knowing that the third session of the 10th Assembly commenced in June 2025, but legislative business was adversely affected by the emergency rule and there is still no legislative agenda for making of laws and oversight functions to address the current realities for the remaining part of this session
“Pursuant to the foregoing, we wish to respectfully pray this August House to Resolve as follows, Commend the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces or the Federal Republic of Nigeria for restoring democratic institutions in the state;
“Declare that the House would continue to abide by all the terms of the peace parley and the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in the interest of peace and good governance of Rivers State;
“Call on the Executive Governor of Rivers State-Sir Siminialayi Fubara to forward the list of his nominees for appointment as commissioners into the State Executive Council in line with Constitution and terms or the peace parley;
“Call on the Governor to commence the process or come up with an appropriation law for the remaining part of the year to address current realities.
“Ascertain what transpired in the last six months with regards to award contracts and expenditures from tne consolidated revenue fund of the State.
“Immediately outline the legislative agenda for the remaining part of the third session of the 10th Assembly to reflect current realities.Make any other orders this House may deem necessary in the circumstance.”
