Abbas Names 19-Member Ihonvbere-Led Committee To Oversee Rivers Emergency, House Takes Oversight Role From FEC

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, will tomorrow inaugurate a 19-member Special Ad-Hoc Committee tasked with overseeing the emergency rule in Rivers State.

The panel, chaired by House Leader, Professor Julius Ihonvbere, aligns with the approval granted by the Green Chamber to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s request to declare emergency rule in the South-South state.

Other members of the committee include: Minority Whip Ali Isa J.C., who will serve as Deputy Chairman; Deputy Chief Whip Isiaka Ayokunle Ibrahim; former Deputy Speaker Idris Ahmed Wase; Northeast Caucus Leader Aliyu Muktar Betera; and Northwest Caucus Leader Sada Soli.

Additional members are: Southwest Caucus Leader James Abiodun Faleke; Southeast Caucus Leader Igariwey Iduma Enwo; Shehu Saleh Rijau; Wole Oke; Akarachi Etinosa Amadi; Patrick Umoh; James Barka; Alex Egbona; Isa Anka; Amos Daniel; Erhiatake Ibori-Suenu; Onuh Onyeche Blessing; and Fatima Talba.

The Speaker’s Chief of Staff (CoS), Professor Jake Dan-Azumi, will head the Committee’s Secretariat.

In a statement yesterday, House spokesman Akin Rotimi said the committee’s formation followed the National Assembly’s resolution approving President Tinubu’s proclamation, with amendments, declaring a State of Emergency in Rivers State.

He said: “The proclamation presented to the National Assembly by Mr. President was subjected to rigorous legislative consideration and duly amended to strengthen democratic safeguards and uphold the principles of checks and balances.
One of the most consequential amendments was the designation of the National Assembly — rather than the Federal Executive Council — as the oversight authority for all regulations issued under the emergency arrangement.
In line with Section 5 of the State of Emergency (Rivers State) Proclamation, 2025, and pursuant to Section 11(4) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the House has constituted a dedicated Ad-Hoc Committee to monitor implementation and ensure that governance in the state remains within the bounds of constitutionalism and the rule of law.”

Rotimi added that the decision to constitute the committee underscores the House’s commitment to uphold the supremacy of the Constitution and ensure that extraordinary measures taken during the emergency period remain subject to legislative oversight, guided by transparency, accountability, and the best interests of the people of Rivers State.

Meanwhile, the Rivers State Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd.), yesterday reaffirmed his neutrality in the ongoing political crisis in the state.

The Vice Admiral emphasized that conflict resolution and peace-building remain central to his administration, which he said is committed to ensuring the collective prosperity of the state and its people.

He said a conducive environment would be created by sustaining ongoing dialogue to foster understanding between diverse groups and heal past wounds.

Vice Admiral Ibas spoke during a meeting with heads of youth organizations and stakeholders, led by the Rivers State Chairman of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Nwisabari Bani, at Government House in Port Harcourt over the weekend.

He said: “It is important to restate my impartial stand on the political crisis that has plagued the state.
I remain committed to upholding the law and ensuring that all individuals, irrespective of their political affiliations, have a voice in the future of Rivers State. My administration will continue to focus on the collective good of our people.
I call on all of you, the vibrant and energetic youth of this state, to embrace collaboration, dialogue, and continued engagement.
It is imperative that we all work as one to ensure that the mandate entrusted to me by Mr. President is fulfilled. We will continue to prioritize the restoration of democratic institutions and make every effort to restore peace to our beloved state.”