Senate sets up committee to oversee Rivers’ sole administrator

The Nigerian Senate has constituted a high-powered committee to supervise the implementation of emergency rule in Rivers State, following the suspension of democratic governance in the state.

This development comes in the wake of President Bola Tinubu’s nationwide address on March 18, 2025, where he declared a state of emergency in Rivers State. The President appointed retired Vice Admiral Ibok Ibas as the Sole Administrator to oversee the state’s affairs for a six-month period.

According to Senate sources, the newly formed committee comprises no fewer than 18 members and is saddled with the responsibility of ensuring proper oversight of the Sole Administrator’s activities.

Announcing the composition of the Committee yesterday, the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, said that there was a need to have a committee like the House of Representatives has done to oversee the functions of the Administrator of Rivers State and the Rivers State Government under Emergency Rule.

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.”