Senate Sets Up 18-Member Committee To Oversee ‘Unconstitutional’ Rivers State Sole Administrator

The leadership of the 10th Senate on Tuesday constituted an 18-member committee to oversee the activities of the Rivers State Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), following the declaration of a state of emergency in the state.

The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, announced the development after the resumption of plenary at the upper chamber.

He appointed the Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, as the chairman of the oversight committee.

While explaining the rationale behind the committee’s formation, Akpabio said it was created to promote transparency and accountability in the governance of Rivers State.

He emphasised that the committee’s role is crucial to ensuring effective legislative oversight amid the ongoing emergency rule.

“The composition of the committee might be subject to review following further consultations,” Akpabio added. “We charge the committee to commence its oversight duties without delay. The Senate is committed to upholding democratic processes in Rivers State.”

Members of the committee include Senators Adamu Aliero, Osita Izunaso (Imo West), Osita Ngwu (South East), Kaka Shehu, Aminu Abass, Tokunbo Abiru, Adeniyi Adebire (Ondo), Sani Musa, Simon Lalong, Asuquo Ekpeyong, Adams Oshiomhole, Ireti Kingibe, Onyekachi, Idiat Adebule, Ide Dafinone, and Mohammed (APC, Jigawa), along with the Clerk of the Senate.

Meanwhile, a former governorship candidate of the Labour Party in Bayelsa State, Udengs Eradiri, has urged the suspended Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, to continue his efforts towards reconciliation.

Eradiri advised Fubara not to give in to “crisis merchants” who may seek to derail the peace process, even amid the ongoing emergency rule in the state.

He made this call in a statement issued on Tuesday in Port Harcourt.

Eradiri, who once served as Commissioner for Youths and later Environment in Bayelsa, recalled being criticised by Ijaw leaders for previously advising Fubara to seek forgiveness from Minister Nyesom Wike.

However, he expressed satisfaction that the suspended governor eventually embraced reconciliation.

Having contested the 2024 governorship election in Bayelsa, Eradiri stressed that Fubara must now distance himself from individuals he described as enemies of Rivers State.

He identified them as those who tried to frame the crisis along ethnic lines, contributed to political missteps, or supervised constitutional breaches without properly guiding the governor.

He further claimed that many of those presenting themselves as supporters of Fubara were actually exploiting the crisis for personal gain and had no interest in a peaceful resolution.

Eradiri advised the suspended governor to restore his relationship with Wike and follow President Bola Tinubu’s directives in the ongoing reconciliation efforts.

He stated that had Fubara been allowed to implement the initial peace deal brokered by the President, the political feud that nearly led to his impeachment could have been avoided.

“To Fubara, I say thank God that President Tinubu saved you through the declaration of emergency rule. This opportunity has offered you a second chance; please do not bungle it,” he said.

“I was happy that you heeded my advice, got up from your comfort zone, and initiated reconciliation by first meeting with Chief Nyesom Wike and apologising to him. You have done well. But you need to follow up this process. Make yourself unreachable to those who will try to slow it down or offer unsolicited advice to abort the reconciliation.”

Eradiri urged Fubara to rein in his supporters and discourage actions capable of undermining the peace process.