By George Ozalla
The House of Representatives has taken a significant step in response to the ongoing crisis in Rivers State by inaugurating a 21-member Ad-Hoc Committee to oversee governance in the state. This move follows President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s declaration of a State of Emergency, which was subsequently ratified with amendments by both Chambers of the National Assembly.
According to a press release signed by House of Representatives Spokesperson, Rep. Akin Rotimi Jr., the committee’s primary objective is to ensure transparency, accountability, and adherence to the law in the implementation of federal directives and policies in Rivers State. The committee will also work to protect public interest and facilitate the re-establishment of full democratic governance in the state.
The committee is chaired by House Majority Leader Rep. Julius Ihonvbere, a member of the All Progressives Congress representing Edo, and deputized by Minority Whip Rep. Ali Isa J.C., a member of the Peoples Democratic Party representing Gombe. Other members of the committee include Rt. Hon. Ibrahim Isiaka, Rt. Hon. Ahmed Idris Wase, Rep. Aliyu Muktar Betara, Rep. Sada Soli, Rep. James Abiodun Faleke, Rep. Igariwey Iduma Enwo, Rep. Shehu Saleh Rijau, Rep. Wole Oke, Rep. Akarachi Etinosa Amadi, Rep. Patrick Umoh, Rep. James Barka, Rep. Alex Egbona, Rep. Isa Anka, Rep. Amos Daniel, Rep. Erhiatake Ibori-Suenu, Rep. Blessing Onyeche Onuh, Rep. Fatima Talba, Rep. Rodney Ambaiowei, and Rep. Chris Nkwonta.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, emphasized that the National Assembly is acting within its constitutional responsibilities to uphold constitutional order and protect the sovereign will of the Nigerian people. He noted that the current administration in Rivers State is inherently temporary and that the role of the Caretaker Administration under the stewardship of Rear Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (Rtd.) is strictly circumscribed.
The Speaker further stressed that 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. This move, according to the Speaker, is in line with Section 11(4) of the 1999 Constitution, which confers upon the National Assembly the authority to make laws for any state whose elected legislative body is unable to perform its statutory functions.
The House of Representatives’ decision to vest oversight authority in the National Assembly, rather than the Federal Executive Council (FEC), for all regulations and governance actions taken under the emergency regime is seen as a significant step towards ensuring checks and balances in the governance process.
