President Bola Tinubu has summoned Vice Admiral Ibok Ete Ibas, the immediate past Rivers State Administrator, to Aso Villa. Ibas arrived at the presidential villa around 5:50 pm on Wednesday, accompanied by Minister of Finance Wale Edun and EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede.
The meeting comes after the Rivers State House of Assembly resolved to investigate the state’s expenditure during Ibas’ six month tenure as administrator.
The lawmakers aim to examine spending from the consolidated revenue fund for contract awards and other expenditures. According to the resolutions of the House, they want “to explore the process of knowing what transpired during the emergency rule with regard to spending from the consolidated revenue fund for the award of contracts and other expenditure.” Ibas, however, has rejected the decision to probe the state’s finances during his tenure.
Ibas served as Rivers State administrator for six months, overseeing the state’s affairs from March to September. During his tenure, Rivers State received at least ₦254.37 billion from the Federation Account Allocation Committee. The state house of assembly, chaired by Speaker Martin Amaewhule, stated that it would investigate the state’s expenditure during the six months of emergency rule.
The meeting between President Tinubu and Ibas may be connected to the Assembly’s investigation plans. Details of the closed door meeting are yet to be made public. Edun had earlier entered the villa, left, and returned with a file, indicating the seriousness of the meeting.
Ibas’ tenure as administrator ended on September 17, following the end of the six month emergency rule. President Tinubu had directed the suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and state House of Assembly members to return to office. The development has sparked speculation about the reasons behind the meeting.
The outcome of the meeting and the investigation into the state’s finances under Ibas’ administration are yet to be seen.
