Dr. Tonye Clinton Jaja, a legislative lawyer, has urged the House of Representatives Ad-hoc Committee overseeing the State of Emergency in Rivers State to thoroughly question the Sole Administrator, Ibok-Ete Ibas, over alleged unconstitutional actions in the management of the emergency rule.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

According to reports, Ibas appeared before the committee on April 25, 2025, but requested additional time to provide a comprehensive briefing on the situation in the state. The House had earlier moved to assume legislative duties in Rivers following the suspension of the State Assembly and the state’s Governor Sim Fubara, along with his deputy, for a six-month emergency period.

In an open letter addressed to Professor Jake Dan-Azumi, Head of the Committee Secretariat, Jaja outlined specific areas of concern regarding Ibas’ conduct. The letter, dated April 28, 2025, titled ‘Open Letter to Prof. Jake Dan-Azumi… (Questions That The Sole Administrator Must Answer Regarding Dissolution of the Rivers State Judicial Service Commission, Appointment of LGA Sole Administrators, and Exercise of Core Legislative Functions)’, detailed several constitutional breaches allegedly committed by Ibas.

Jaja emphasized that the emergency proclamation does not grant dictatorial powers or allow for the complete erosion of legislative authority in Rivers. He noted that the Sole Administrator was only permitted to enact regulations — subsidiary legislations — subject to presidential approval, not to exercise full legislative powers.

Citing the Supreme Court’s February 28, 2025 ruling, Jaja reminded the committee that governance must remain representative and not revert to autocratic rule. He questioned the legality of Ibas’ appointment of 23 Local Government Area Sole Administrators without public or legislative input, in violation of judicial rulings against non-elected local administration.

The lawyer also challenged Ibas’ authority to dissolve critical statutory bodies like the Rivers State Judicial Service Commission and the Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), stressing that no subsidiary legislation can override or nullify existing laws without legislative consent.

Jaja further called on the committee to demand clarification on the appointment of senior government officials by Ibas and the appropriation of Rivers State funds without legislative approval — actions he described as clear constitutional violations.

He concluded by stressing the importance of the committee’s oversight function in ensuring that the State of Emergency Proclamation is implemented lawfully and to prevent the emergence of autocratic governance in Rivers State.