President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday met with Ibok-Ete Ibas, the immediate past sole administrator of Rivers State, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Wednesday.
Ibas, a retired naval chief who oversaw the state during the six-month period of emergency rule, was sighted arriving at the State House around 5:50 p.m. He was not alone at the villa, as the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, and the Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, were also seen entering the premises about the same time.
Tinubu had in March declared emergency rule in Rivers State following weeks of heightened political tension. The move led to the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, as well as all members of the state House of Assembly. The President subsequently appointed Ibas to serve as sole administrator throughout the interim period.
That arrangement came to an end on September 17, after which Governor Fubara was instructed to resume office. Upon reconvening, the state legislature announced plans to probe financial decisions made under Ibas’ leadership, particularly how state resources were managed during the emergency rule.
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Ibas has, however, publicly dismissed the lawmakers’ resolution, insisting that he carried out his duties in line with the mandate of the federal government.
His visit to the State House, alongside top government and anti-graft officials, has fueled speculation about possible deliberations on Rivers’ finances and the political situation in the state.
