Godsent Ogbebor
FG to Channel Rivers State Funds to Sole Administrator
The Federal Government has announced that all funds allocated to Rivers State will be directed to the state’s newly appointed Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Étè Ibas (retd.), following President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency.
Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), made the disclosure while addressing journalists at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Wednesday.
He emphasized that the President’s decision was necessary to prevent a complete breakdown of law and order in the state.
Fagbemi dismissed claims that the ongoing political crisis was influenced by former Governor and current FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, stressing that Tinubu’s intervention was strictly aimed at restoring stability.
When asked whether Rivers State’s financial allocations would still be disbursed, Fagbemi clarified that funds would be released upon request by the Administrator.
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“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.
Defending the emergency rule, he stated, “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.”
On Tuesday, Tinubu suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and all elected members of the Rivers State House of Assembly for an initial period of six months.
The crisis stems from a power struggle between Fubara and his predecessor, Wike, leading to prolonged political instability.
As part of the emergency measures, Tinubu appointed Ibas, a former Chief of Naval Staff, to oversee the affairs of Rivers State until normalcy is restored.
