The Sole Administrator of Rivers State, retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, has pleaded with members of the National Assembly’s Ad-hoc Committee for additional time to deliver a comprehensive briefing on the situation in the state.
Appearing before the committee after failing to honour an earlier invitation on Thursday, Mr Ibas attributed his absence to pressing matters related to stabilising governance in the state, which is currently under a state of emergency.
“Mr. Chairman, please permit me to begin by respectfully acknowledging your leadership and the critical role of this committee in safeguarding the democratic and constitutional integrity of our great nation,” he said in his opening remarks.
“I deeply regret my inability to attend earlier engagements with this esteemed committee… Today is exactly 10 days after the first invitation, and in between we’ve had four days that were off calendar as public holidays, plus the weekends inclusive,” he explained.
Mr Ibas said that his absence was not intended as a slight to the committee, but rather a result of “the weighty and urgent demands of stabilising governance in a state under a declared emergency.”
While assuring lawmakers that the situation in Rivers is “relatively calm,” he cautioned that it remains “fragile” and requires careful handling.
Seeking further, he stated: “It is important that any engagement with this committee is done with the depth, accuracy and clarity it rightfully deserves.”
Mr Ibas was appointed by President Bola Tinubu in March, following the controversial suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
What is there with a brief. It’s obvious that you’re not train in administrative capacity so there is every tendencies for flaws.