Tensions continue to rise in Rivers State following President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency and the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and the State House of Assembly for six months. In the wake of these dramatic political upheavals, the Coalition of Conscientious Citizens (3Cs) has issued a bold demand: Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (retd.), the Sole Administrator of Rivers State, must publicly declare his assets.
At a press conference in Abuja on Sunday, Dr. Gabriel Nnaji, Executive Director of 3Cs, cited Section 185(1) of the Constitution, which mandates elected governors to declare their assets before assuming office. While Ibas was appointed rather than elected, the group insists he should adhere to the same transparency standards expected of an official managing state resources.
The coalition’s concerns are fueled by alarming reports of rapid financial depletion in Rivers State just two weeks into Ibas’s administration.
“Our concerns have been heightened by reports suggesting that Rivers State’s coffers have been bled dry in under two weeks of the Sole Administrator’s tenure,” Nnaji stated.
Among the most contentious issues is the sudden release of previously withheld local government allocations, allegedly without legal justification. The group further claims that the suspension of Governor Fubara’s appointees was a calculated move to mask large-scale financial mismanagement within the state.
The coalition has given Ibas a seven-day ultimatum to publicly declare his assets, warning of imminent legal action should he fail to comply.
“Given that Vice Admiral Ibas does not enjoy the mandate of Rivers State electorates, being the product of a fiat, there is an additional burden on him to publicly declare his assets to ensure he does not enrich himself at the state’s expense,” read the coalition’s statement.
Vowing to closely monitor his tenure, 3Cs promised to lead a broad coalition of Nigerian citizens and organizations to ensure accountability.
“We are putting Vice Admiral Ibas on notice that 3Cs will lead an amalgamation of Nigerians and organisations to scrutinise his tenure and ensure accountability,” Nnaji declared.
With scrutiny mounting, all eyes are now on Ibas. Will he heed the call for transparency, or will legal battles define his tenure as Rivers State’s
Sole Administrator?
