The House of Representatives has warned the Rivers State Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok Ete Ibas (retd.), against making any laws in the state, saying he has no constitutional power to do so.
The House stated this against the backdrop of the administrator’s plan to come up with a fresh budget, following the declaration of a state of emergency in the state in March.
In an interview with Punch, the deputy spokesman for the House, Philip Agbese, said the Speaker, Tajudeen Abbas, was consulting with the leadership of the House to set up a committee to monitor the conduct of Admiral Ibas.
“The Sole Administrator does not have the authority to carry out the National Assembly’s function of making laws under the current circumstances. The Speaker of the House is consulting with the leadership to establish a committee to oversee the administrator’s activities and ensure that the interests of Rivers State are represented.
We assume that the President has been informed of our resolution regarding the administrator’s appointment and mandate. Should the administrator exceed his authority, the House will take necessary actions, including the possibility of a vote of no confidence, to ensure accountability and adherence to the rule of law.”
Last week, Admiral Ibas announced plans to prepare a new budget for the running of the state in the next six months.This move has been widely condemned by many who say he has no authority to do such.