The House of Representatives has cautioned Rivers State Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok Ete Ibas (retd.), against his plan to introduce a new state budget, asserting that he lacks the constitutional authority to make laws for the state.
The warning comes after the administrator expressed intentions to craft a fresh budget following the declaration of a state of emergency in March.
Deputy spokesman for the House, Philip Agbese, stated that Speaker Tajudeen Abbas is consulting with House leadership to form a committee that will oversee Admiral Ibas’s actions.
“The Sole Administrator does not have the authority to carry out the National Assembly’s function of making laws,” Agbese said in an interview with The PUNCH.
The newly-appointed administrator, who replaced Governor Siminalayi Fubara after the state of emergency was declared, had recently announced plans for a budget that focuses on healthcare, education, infrastructure, and job creation. “We understand the urgency of this initiative, and we are committed to ensuring that they are implemented without delay,” Ibas remarked.
However, the House emphasized its role in maintaining legal and constitutional boundaries. Agbese added, “If the administrator exceeds his authority, the House will take necessary actions, including a vote of no confidence.”
The ongoing political crisis in Rivers has seen the suspension of both the state governor and legislature. The House’s intervention serves as a reminder of the limits of executive power within the state, particularly regarding the role of lawmaking.