The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Abbas Tajudeen, on Tuesday, tasked the newly inaugurated 21-member committee with closely monitoring the activities of Rivers State's sole administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.).

He further instructed Ibas to report directly to the National Assembly for legislative approval of all administrative actions.

This directive follows the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, and the dissolution of the State House of Assembly. Speaker Abbas emphasized the National Assembly’s constitutional mandate to enact and amend laws for states when their legislative bodies are unable to function.

In his address, Abbas reminded the committee of similar past emergencies—Plateau State in 2004, Ekiti in 2006, and Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe in 2013—where the National Assembly played a pivotal role in maintaining constitutional order and governance.

He cited these instances as key precedents that highlight the necessity of legislative oversight during times of crisis.

The Speaker noted that the caretaker government in Rivers State, led by Rear Admiral Ibas, is a temporary measure focused on preserving law and order and maintaining essential government functions until democratic governance is reinstated. Ibas is expected to operate transparently and accountably, providing regular reports to the National Assembly as mandated by the Constitution.

“The administrator must report to the National Assembly regularly on his administration’s activities to ensure that the public interest is safeguarded,” Speaker Abbas emphasized. “The ongoing emergency measures and oversight will be pivotal in ensuring the state’s smooth return to full democratic governance.”