Rivers Emergency Rule: House of Reps Inaugurates Ad-Hoc Committee on Oversight
- House Charges Administrator to Report Directly to National Assembly, Uphold Transparency and Accountability
Abuja, FCT | Tuesday, April 15, 2025 – In line with its constitutional mandate, the House of Representatives has formally inaugurated a 21-member Ad-Hoc Committee to oversee governance in Rivers State.
This action follows the declaration of a State of Emergency in the state by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, and its subsequent ratification with amendments by both Chambers of the National Assembly. It reflects the resolve of the House of Representatives to uphold constitutional order, ensure responsible governance, and protect the sovereign will of the Nigerian people.
The inauguration ceremony, which took place at the National Assembly Complex, Abuja, was attended by members of the House leadership, Principal Officers, and Committee Members.
The Committee, chaired by House Majority Leader, Rep. Julius Ihonvbere (APC, Edo), and deputised by Minority Whip, Rep. Ali Isa J.C. (PDP, Gombe), further reflects the House’s commitment to bipartisan responsibility and cooperative federalism.
As stated during the inauguration, “Its purpose is to monitor the implementation of federal directives and policies in Rivers State, ensure that the caretaker administration adheres to the law, and protect the public interest while facilitating the re-establishment of full democratic governance in the state.” This is in line with Section 5 of the State of Emergency (Rivers State) Proclamation 2025 and pursuant to Section 11(4) of the 1999 Constitution.
Speaking at the inauguration, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, PhD, GCON, reaffirmed that the National Assembly is acting fully within the scope of its constitutional responsibilities, as outlined in the 1999 Constitution (As Amended). He noted that this intervention responds to the suspension of democratic institutions in Rivers State, namely the Office of the Governor and the State House of Assembly, following escalating political instability.
“Our actions today are grounded in Section 11(4) of the 1999 Constitution, which confers upon us the authority to make laws for any state whose elected legislative body is unable to perform its statutory functions,” he stated.
Speaker Abbas, who recalled historical instances where the National Assembly assumed a vital role in upholding constitutional order in Plateau State (2004), Ekiti State (2006), as well as Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe States (2013), when the nation faced similar security and governance challenges, emphasised that the current administration in Rivers State is inherently temporary. He stressed that the role of the Caretaker Administration under the stewardship of Rear Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (Rtd.) is strictly circumscribed.
“He is charged with maintaining law and order and ensuring that the basic functions of governance are met only until full democratic governance is restored.
“The Administrator is required to operate with the highest levels of transparency and accountability, reporting directly to the National Assembly on all matters that pertain to the peace, order and good government of the State as prescribed by the Constitution,” the Speaker added.
The President’s proclamation, dated March 18, 2025, was duly transmitted to the National Assembly on March 20, 2025. Both Chambers deliberated upon it extensively at plenary, and ratified the request with significant amendments designed to strengthen democratic safeguards and guarantee institutional checks and balances.
Among the most consequential of these amendments is the vesting of oversight authority in the National Assembly, rather than the Federal Executive Council (FEC), for all regulations and governance actions taken under the emergency regime.
These resolutions were duly forwarded to the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) for implementation, with the House affirming that the Certified True Copies of the resolutions will be made available to this Committee.
Committee Membership:
- Rt. Hon. Prof. Julius Ihonvbere – Chairman
- Rt. Hon. Ali Isa J.C. – Deputy Chairman
- Rt. Hon. Ibrahim Isiaka – Member
- Rt. Hon. Ahmed Idris Wase – Member
- Rep. Aliyu Muktar Betara – Member
- Rep. Sada Soli – Member
- Rep. James Abiodun Faleke – Member
- Rep. Igariwey Iduma Enwo – Member
- Rep. Shehu Saleh Rijau – Member
- Rep. Wole Oke – Member
- Rep. Akarachi Etinosa Amadi – Member
- Rep. Patrick Umoh – Member
- Rep. James Barka – Member
- Rep. Alex Egbona – Member
- Rep. Isa Anka – Member
- Rep. Amos Daniel – Member
- Rep. Erhiatake Ibori-Suenu – Member
- Rep. Blessing Onyeche Onuh – Member
- Rep. Fatima Talba – Member
- Rep. Rodney Ambaiowei – Member
- Rep. Chris Nkwonta – Member
Head of Secretariat:
Prof. Jake Dan-Azumi
A release by Rep. Akin Rotimi Jr., Spokesman, House of Representatives says, In this moment of constitutional strain, the 10th Assembly, House of Representatives has risen above partisanship to uphold its duty to safeguard democratic continuity. This action affirms that it is not a substitution for democracy, but a lawful bridge to its restoration.