This past week, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd), the Sole Administrator of Rivers State, appeared before the House of Representatives Committee on Rivers State to defend the state’s proposed budget for the 2025 fiscal year. This marked his second appearance before the Committee in 2025, following earlier instances where he had missed invitations to testify.
The proposed budget, set at ₦1.481 trillion, was submitted to the House of Representatives by President Bola Tinubu on May 22, 2025. The budget was considered, passed for Second Reading, and referred to the Ad-Hoc Committee for further legislative scrutiny and action.
The scale of the budget has drawn attention, particularly given the fact that the state is currently under the administration of a sole administrator following the suspension of its democratically elected Governor and legislature. Rivers State is historically known for its complex political dynamics and significant revenue profile, making the governance structure and budget management particularly consequential.
During his appearance before the Committee, Vice Admiral Ibas appealed for patience and requested additional time to compile a comprehensive report detailing the state’s financial and administrative operations and accused state officials of hoarding financial information required to ensure proper account of expenditure at the time of submission of budget estimates.
At the meeting, the Committee led by Hon. Julius Ihonvbere (APC, Edo) affirmed its commitment to restoring stability, peace and development in Rivers State.
The budget proposal allocates funds across various sectors including infrastructure, health, education, and pensions and is expected to undergo detailed scrutiny. The Committee is expected to commence budget defense sessions with relevant state officials in the coming weeks.
In the broader national context, Rivers State’s situation continues to attract attention amid ongoing debates about federalism, governance accountability, and state autonomy in Nigeria. Observers have raised concerns about the legal and constitutional basis of the sole administrator arrangement, questioning whether it undermines democratic principles that should underpin public budgeting and policy formulation.
Nonetheless, Vice Admiral Ibas’s engagement with the legislative arm signals a tentative step toward institutional dialogue and oversight. With ₦1.481 trillion on the table, the stakes are considerable, underscoring the need for transparent processes that can assure citizens of responsible stewardship during this extraordinary political transition.