Senate inaugurates committee to oversee Rivers sole administrator

The Nigerian Senate has constituted an 18-member committee to monitor the implementation of the emergency rule in Rivers State following the suspension of democratic governance in the state.

This move comes in the wake of President Bola Tinubu’s national broadcast on March 18, 2025, during which he declared a state of emergency in Rivers State.

In the address, Tinubu appointed retired Vice Admiral Ibok Ibas as the Sole Administrator to govern the state for an initial period of six months.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio, who announced the committee’s formation, emphasized the importance of legislative oversight during the emergency period.

He noted that the Senate’s decision mirrors a similar initiative by the House of Representatives to ensure that the administrator’s activities and the state’s affairs remain under legislative scrutiny during the suspension of democratic processes.

The chairman of the committee is the Senate leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, APC, Ekiti Central and the Deputy chairman is the Deputy Minority Whip, Senator Rufai Hanga, NNPP, Kano Central.

The members are Senators Adamu Aliero, PDP, Kebbi Central: Osita Izunaso, APC, Imo West; Osita Ngwu, PDP Enugu West; Senator Kaka Shehu, APC Borno Central; Iya Aminu Abbas, PDP Adamawa Central; Tokubo Abiru, APC Lagos East; Adeniyi Adegbonmire, APC Ondo Central and Mohamed Sani Musa, APC Niger East.

Others are Senators Simon Lalong, APC Plateau South; , Asuquo Ekpeyong, APC Cross River South; Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole, APC, Edo North; Ireti Kingibe, LP, FCT; Onyekachi Nwaeboyi, APC Ebonyi North; Idiat Adebule APC, Lagos West; Ede Dafinone APC Delta Central and Mohammed Maidori, APC Jigawa North East.

The Clerk/Secretary of the Committee is Mr. Charles Bala.

In his remarks, the President of the Senate who charged the committee to commence its oversight duties without delay, underscoring the urgency of their mandate in Rivers State, said “if there is need to review, it will be after further consultation with our colleagues. But in the meantime, they have to get to work immediately.”