President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has summoned Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), the immediate past sole administrator of Rivers State, to the Presidential Villa in Abuja. The development comes at a time when scrutiny over financial management during the state’s six-month emergency rule is intensifying.
Ibas, who left office on September 17 following the end of the emergency rule, arrived at Aso Rock at approximately 5:50 p.m., dressed in brown native attire. He was joined by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, and the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukayede. Edun was earlier spotted at the Villa but briefly left, only to return with a file in hand, a move that highlighted the seriousness of the meeting.
The Rivers State House of Assembly, led by Speaker Martin Amaewhule, has already announced plans to investigate the state’s financial activities during the emergency administration. In its first plenary session after the suspension of emergency rule, the House resolved to examine expenditure from the consolidated revenue fund, particularly contracts awarded and other spending under Ibas.
During his tenure, Rivers State reportedly received at least ₦254.37 billion from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) between March and August 2025. However, Ibas has rejected calls for a probe, maintaining that his stewardship was carried out within the law and in line with presidential directives.
President Tinubu had imposed emergency rule in Rivers State in March 2025, citing escalating political tension between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the House of Assembly, as well as growing insecurity and pipeline vandalism. Under the arrangement, Ibas, a former Chief of Naval Staff, was appointed to administer the state. The emergency was lifted on September 17, after which Governor Fubara, his deputy, and lawmakers were directed to return to office.
The details of Tinubu’s meeting with Ibas have not been made public, but the involvement of the EFCC and the Ministry of Finance suggests that questions of accountability, transparency, and possible financial mismanagement are central to the discussions. Observers say the outcome could set the tone for how the federal government handles governance and financial integrity issues in states that have faced political crises.
