The Federal Government has announced that funds allocated to Rivers State will now be channeled to the state’s sole administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ette Ibas (retd).
This decision follows President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, aimed at restoring order amid escalating political unrest.
Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, disclosed this during a press briefing at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Wednesday.
Fagbemi defended the President’s intervention, stating that it was necessary to prevent a complete breakdown of law and order in the state.
When questioned about the release of the state’s allocation, Fagbemi confirmed that funds would be made available if requested by the administrator. “And to me, it will be in order for the release of that fund because the event of the extraordinary situation has brought them out of the normal situation of things,” he said.
Fagbemi emphasized that President Tinubu acted promptly to avert further chaos in Rivers State. “We have about two years into the administration in the state. Now, when do you think he should have acted? Should he have waited until everything was destroyed? I don’t think so,” he stated.
He further explained that the President had initially sought to mediate the conflict before resorting to emergency measures. “I think the President acted at the right time. He gave all parties a chance to resolve their differences. Before then, he had called them together and tried to mediate,” Fagbemi added.
Ripples Nigeria reports that on Tuesday, President Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, suspending Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and all elected members of the state House of Assembly for six months. The decision was prompted by prolonged political instability stemming from a rift between the governor and lawmakers loyal to former Governor Nyesom Wike, now Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.
As part of the emergency measures, Tinubu appointed former Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Ibok-Ette Ibas (retd), as the sole administrator of Rivers State. The move has sparked mixed reactions, with some stakeholders supporting the intervention while others criticize it as an overreach of federal authority.
Fagbemi also dismissed allegations that Nyesom Wike played a role in the political crisis that led to the emergency declaration. He reiterated that the Federal Government’s actions were solely aimed at restoring peace and stability in the state.