The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajuddeen, has inaugurated a 21-man committee to monitor the state of emergency in Rivers State.

The Committee was inaugurated at the National Assembly on Tuesday.

The House, while endorsing the state of emergency imposed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, had adopted an amendment one of the request by the President by resolving to constitute the adhoc committee to monitor the state while it lasts.

The Committee chaired by the House Leader, Prof. Julius Ihonvre, earlier had 19 members, but two members were added during the inauguration. Rep. Ali Isa J.C. is the Deputy Chairman of the committee.

Members of the committee include Hon. Isiaka Ibrahim, Rep. Idris Ahmed Wase, Rep. Aliyu Muktar Betera, Rep. Sada Soli, Rep. James Abiodun Faleke, Rep. Igariwey Iduma Enwo, Rep. Shehu Saleh Rijau, Rep. Wole Oke and Rep. Akarachi Etinosa Amadi.

Others are Rep. Patrick Umoh, Rep. James Barka, Rep. Alex Egbona, Rep. Isa Anka, Rep. Amos Daniel, Rep. Erhiatake Ibori-Suenu, Rep. Onuh Onyeche Blessing, Rep. Fatima Talba, Rep. Ebikake Marie Enenimiete and Rep. Chris Nkwonta.

Speaking during the inauguration, the Speaker stated that the committee was tasked with overseeing the administration of Rivers State during the state of emergency period.

He said, “This moment marks not only a critical milestone in our constitutional mandate but also a display of our dedication to transparent governance and the rule of law in our country. Our actions today are grounded in Section 11(4) of the 1999 Constitution, which confers upon us the authority to make laws for any state whose elected legislative body is unable to perform its statutory functions.

“It states that at any time when any House of Assembly of a State is unable to perform its functions by reason of the situation prevailing in that State, the National Assembly may make such laws for the peace, order and good government of that State with respect to matters on which a House of Assembly may make laws as may appear to the National Assembly to be necessary or expedient until such time as the House of Assembly is able to resume its functions; and any such laws enacted by the National Assembly pursuant to this section shall have effect as if they were laws enacted by the House of Assembly of the State…

“Accordingly, in response to the President’s declaration and in accordance with our constitutional duty, the official Gazette of the State of Emergency was duly transmitted to both the House and Senate. On 20th March 2025, the chambers deliberated extensively and approved the President’s request with significant amendments designed to reinforce democratic safeguards and ensure robust oversight. These resolutions were duly forwarded to the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation for implementation. The Certified True Copies of this will be made available to this Committee.

“It is paramount to note that the current administration in Rivers State is inherently temporary. With the suspension of the state Governor, Mr Siminalayi Fubara, and the entire House of Assembly, a caretaker administration has been installed under the stewardship of Rear Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (Rtd.). His role is strictly circumscribed, as he is charged with maintaining law and order and ensuring that the basic functions of governance are met only until full democratic governance is restored.

“The Administrator is required to operate with the highest levels of transparency and accountability, reporting directly to the National Assembly on all matters that pertain to the peace, order and good government of the State as prescribed by the Constitution”.

President Tinubu had on 18 March 2025, declared a six-month state of emergency in Rivers State as a result of protracted political crisis between Governor Siminilayi Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, who is the minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

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