Ibas Defends His Record
The embattled Administrator of Rivers State, General Ibas, has defended his six-month tenure under the emergency rule declared by President Bola Tinubu, insisting that he acted within the mandate given to him.
Ibas maintained that his role was primarily to stabilize the state following the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, and that whether his performance matched expectations was a question for the presidency, not the opposition.
“We are happy with the conduct of the affairs of the administrator. But whether he has acted according to what he was sent to do is an assessment that can basically be given by the presidency, which gave him that task,” Ibas noted.
The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) also urged the suspended Governor Fubara to embrace democratic principles if reinstated, stressing that he must “play democracy by the book” and avoid further political instability.
Opposition Voices: “A Plundering of Rivers Resources”
However, Ibas’s defense has not silenced growing criticism. Opposition leaders, civil society groups, and community activists have described the six-month emergency rule as a period marked by financial mismanagement, illegal appointments, and political interference.
The Ijaw Youth Council President, Jonathan Lokpobiri, alleged that Rivers State resources were misused under Ibas’s watch.
“Rivers State has lost not just governance, but investors’ confidence in terms of stability. The state’s resources were plundered. It became private resources where he didn’t limit his tenure to peace and security but extended himself as though he were the executive governor,” Lokpobiri said.
MOSOP and Youths Call for EFCC Probe
The Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People (MOSOP), through its Publicity Secretary, Oscar Imeabe, argued that Ibas’s actions crippled economic activities and undermined state institutions.
“The emergency rule has reportedly crippled economic activities by chasing away investors and entrepreneurs. It dissolved democratic institutions like the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission and several agency boards, replacing them with illegal appointees,” Imeabe stated.
Imeabe, who also coordinates the South-South Youths Initiative, called for a full probe:
“We call on the EFCC and ICPC to investigate the allegations of financial misappropriation by the state administrator. Rivers people must know how their money was spent.”
Senator Maeba: “Constitutional Breach at the Highest Level”
Former Senator Lee Maeba (Rivers South-East) was even more scathing, accusing President Tinubu of breaching the Constitution by suspending an elected governor without any constitutional backing.
“The Constitution does not envisage that you will suspend a governor. There is nowhere in the Constitution that provides for such. Six months of allocation, IGR, and statutory earnings were squandered. This was not about security—it was pure politics,” Maeba told reporters.
He added that the National Assembly’s support of the emergency rule was “a terrible precedent” and warned that those who backed the suspension would face political consequences.
Investor Confidence and Economic Fallout
Beyond politics, critics argue that Rivers’ economy took a heavy hit during the emergency rule. With state institutions dissolved and foreign and local investors hesitant, businesses reported significant setbacks.
According to activists, entrepreneurs fled Port Harcourt and surrounding areas, worsening unemployment and poverty rates in the oil-rich state. Civil groups warn that rebuilding investor trust will take time even after democratic governance resumes.
APC’s Response and Call for Calm
The APC insists that once Governor Fubara’s suspension is lifted, he should demonstrate that lessons have been learned and avoid further destabilization.
An APC spokesman remarked:
“If his suspension is lifted, he must have learned. He would have licked his wounds so well as to leave no room for infection. He should not allow anything that will put him off the seat of power again.”
The party maintains that Ibas’s administration, though controversial, provided “breathing space” for Rivers State’s political climate.
The Bigger Picture: Democracy Under Strain
The Rivers saga highlights ongoing tensions in Nigeria’s federal democracy. Analysts argue that the imposition of emergency rule in a relatively stable state sets a dangerous precedent.
Emergency powers are typically invoked during severe security crises or constitutional breakdowns. But in Rivers, opposition figures argue, the move was more about political control than security needs.
The episode has now reignited debates over executive overreach, state autonomy, and the limits of presidential powers.
What Next?
With growing calls for investigation, pressure is mounting on the EFCC, ICPC, and civil society watchdogs to examine how Rivers’ funds were managed during Ibas’s tenure. Whether such probes will materialize—or be swept under the political carpet—remains to be seen.
Meanwhile, Rivers residents await clarity on Governor Fubara’s fate and the restoration of full democratic governance.
For many, the key questions linger: Who accounts for the money spent under emergency rule? And how can Rivers rebuild investor and citizen confidence after six months of uncertainty?
SEO-Friendly FAQs (Quick Answers for Readers)
1. Why was Rivers State under emergency rule?
President Tinubu declared emergency rule after suspending Governor Fubara, citing political instability. Critics argue there was no genuine security breakdown to justify the move.
2. Who is General Ibas?
General Ibas was appointed as the Administrator of Rivers State during the six-month emergency rule, overseeing governance in place of the suspended governor.
3. What are the main criticisms of Ibas’s tenure?
Critics accuse him of misusing state resources, dissolving democratic institutions, chasing away investors, and acting beyond the limits of his mandate.
4. What happens next for Governor Fubara?
If reinstated, the APC has urged him to embrace democratic principles and avoid political missteps that could trigger another crisis.
