By John Umeh
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has invited Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), the immediate past Sole Administrator of Rivers State, to the Presidential Villa in Abuja, raising speculation about ongoing scrutiny of his stewardship during the six-month emergency rule in the oil-rich state.
Ibas arrived at Aso Rock around 5:50 p.m. on Wednesday, dressed in brown native attire. Notably, he was accompanied by two key figures: Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, and the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukayede. Their presence signaled that the meeting was far from routine, carrying undertones of high-level discussions that may revolve around financial accountability, governance, and transparency in Rivers State.
Context: Six Months of Emergency Rule
In March 2025, President Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State following heightened political tensions and governance paralysis. During this period, Governor Sim Fubara, his deputy, and the House of Assembly were suspended. To fill the vacuum, Vice Admiral Ibas was appointed as the Sole Administrator, tasked with stabilizing the state and overseeing its affairs for six months.
Ibas officially left office on September 17, after Tinubu ordered the reinstatement of Governor Fubara, his deputy, and the state’s legislature. While his tenure was marked by efforts to maintain order, it also attracted attention due to the significant funds that flowed into the state during the period.
According to records from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC), Rivers State received no less than ₦254.37 billion between March and August 2025. The sheer scale of these allocations has prompted questions about how the resources were managed and whether due process was followed in awarding contracts and implementing projects.
Assembly Demands Accountability
Shortly after resuming legislative duties, the Rivers State House of Assembly, led by Speaker Martin Amaewhule, passed a resolution to investigate all expenditures made during the emergency rule. The lawmakers specifically expressed interest in examining withdrawals from the Consolidated Revenue Fund, contract awards, and the general pattern of spending overseen by the former administrator.
In a strongly worded statement, the Assembly resolved “to explore the process of knowing what transpired during the emergency rule with regard to spending from the consolidated revenue fund for the award of contracts and other expenditure.”
However, Vice Admiral Ibas had publicly rejected the idea of being subjected to such a probe, arguing that his stewardship was carried out in line with the mandate given to him by President Tinubu. His dismissal of the Assembly’s resolution has only fueled further curiosity about the state’s financial dealings under his watch.
The Meeting at Aso Rock
The unusual convergence of Ibas, Wale Edun, and EFCC boss Ola Olukayede at the Villa suggests that the Presidency is not leaving the matter to speculation. While details of their closed-door meeting were not disclosed, the presence of Nigeria’s top anti-graft czar points to the possibility of financial accountability and investigative review being at the heart of the discussions.
Edun’s quick return to the Villa with a file in hand further underscored the seriousness of the engagement, hinting that documentary evidence or financial reports may have been tabled before the President.
Broader Implications
The Rivers State situation represents a significant test case in Nigeria’s governance framework. The use of emergency rule to suspend democratic structures was controversial from the start, and the probe into financial management under Ibas could set precedents for accountability when extraordinary measures are imposed.
For President Tinubu, who has repeatedly pledged to fight corruption and uphold transparency, the outcome of this matter could reinforce—or undermine—his administration’s credibility. If irregularities are uncovered, it may not only dent the reputation of Vice Admiral Ibas but also raise uncomfortable questions about oversight during the six-month intervention.
On the other hand, if the former administrator is cleared, it could strengthen the argument that his rejection of the probe was justified and that the state’s resources were properly managed despite the political tensions of the period.
What Next?
As the public awaits official statements from the Presidency, the EFCC, or the Ministry of Finance, speculation continues to swirl around the true purpose of Ibas’s summons. For now, Rivers residents, political observers, and civil society groups remain watchful, eager to see whether this meeting will pave the way for deeper investigations or serve as a quiet attempt to resolve matters internally.
One thing is certain: the legacy of Rivers’ six-month emergency rule will not be defined solely by the return of Governor Sim Fubara and the legislature—it will also hinge on whether the management of the state’s finances during that turbulent period can withstand public and institutional scrutiny.
