Ibas accused of misusing N100bn, acting on Wike's orders in petition to Reps

A formal petition, accusing the Rivers Sole Administrator, Ibok-Ete Ibas, of misappropriating N100 billion, has been submitted to the House of Representatives Ad-Hoc Committee overseeing the political crisis in the state.

Recall that Ibas, a retired naval officer, was appointed by President Bola Tinubu to oversee the affairs of the oil-rich state following the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Ngozi Nma Odu, and state Assembly lawmakers.

The decision followed the proclamation of a state of emergency, which the President said had become inevitable after the protracted political feud between Fubara and lawmakers loyal to his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, had degenerated in March.

However, a coalition of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in Rivers State has accused Ibas of gross financial misconduct and of allegedly operating under Wike's directives, who also serves as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The petition, dated April 16, 2025, and signed by 17 civil society organizations (CSOs), was addressed to the committee chairman. The petitioners claimed that Ibas’s actions have worsened the ongoing political crisis and urged the committee to restore democratic governance in Rivers urgently.

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They also expressed grave concern over what they describe as “severe, provocative and brazen acts of lawlessness and impunity” committed by the retired naval officer, arguing that his conduct contradicts the constitutional principles underpinning the emergency rule declared by Tinubu on March 18, 2025.

“We wish to humbly bring to your attention the severe, provocative and brazen acts of lawlessness and impunity which are being executed on a daily basis by the Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (Rtd.). These actions have been worsening and aggravating the political crises in Rivers State,” the petition partly reads.

“It is rather regrettable that while your Committee is yet to give any approval of significant measure to the State Administrator, the latter has resorted to taking directives and instructions from Chief Ezenwo Nyesom Wike. Under the instructions of Chief Wike, he has dismantled the entire structures of democratic governance in Rivers State.”

Ibas faces a misappropriation allegation

The coalition further alleged that over N100 billion in state funds have been spent recklessly with no tangible development to show for it.

“We are further piqued by the reckless, irresponsible and uncontrollable expenditure of funds of the Rivers State Government by the State Administrator without compliance with due and laid down processes,” they assert.

“We understand that the State Administrator has already expended over One Hundred Billion Naira with nothing on ground to show or justify this humongous expenditure.”

They also faulted the Sole Administrator for failing to engage political actors or stakeholders to ease tensions or broker peace.

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“It is a matter of great worry and regret that since his appointment, the State Administrator has not made any genuine attempt and effort to consult the warring gladiators in the Rivers State crises in order to secure peace and reconciliation between them,” the petition noted.

“The State Administrator has also not made any move to interface with the generality of Rivers State stakeholders so as to forge alliances for the reconciliation of the warring parties and the resolution of the crises.”

Additionally, the petitioners accused Ibas of openly favouring Wike’s camp in government appointments and administrative actions.

“What the State Administrator has rather done with shameless impunity is to take side with the Nyesom Wike faction and pilot the affairs of the State as their ally and nominee who is simply playing out his script prepared by them. This, as you know, is clearly unacceptable to the generality of Rivers people,” the document stated.

Reps urged to take urgent action

The coalition urged the House Committee to take urgent steps to ensure accountability and democratic stability.

“We are indeed afraid that if the State Administrator is not immediately checked, he would waste and fritter away all the funds of our state Government on recklessness and designed political heist,” they warned.

In their plea, the CSOs asked the committee to overturn the suspensions imposed on political appointees and reinstate all statutory institutions and positions that had been dissolved or altered by the Administrator.

“In view of all the above, we respectfully urge your Honourable Ad-Hoc Committee to immediately order the cancellation and reversal of all suspensions meted out to political appointees in Rivers State by the Sole Administrator. We believe these suspensions were unlawful and aimed at weakening democratic institutions and voices in the state. It is imperative that those appointments be reinstated to protect constitutional order and governance processes,” they stated.

“We further pray that all statutory boards, commissions, and government agencies suspended by the Administrator be restored without delay. Equally, we ask this Honourable Committee to nullify and set aside all such boards, commissions, and agencies that the Administrator has purportedly reconstituted in defiance of due process. These actions, we believe, were carried out without legal backing or consultation and must be reversed to protect institutional integrity.

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“We also demand that the Honourable Committee reverse the appointment of Administrators in the twenty-three Local Government Councils and reinstate the status quo that existed before the Sole Administrator’s assumption of office. These local government changes are a direct assault on local autonomy and the democratic will of the people. In addition, we call for a thorough and transparent probe into all financial expenditures carried out by the Administrator since his appointment.

“Lastly, we strongly urge this Committee to issue an immediate directive halting any plans by the Administrator to conduct local government elections in Rivers State under the current illegal structure. We also ask that the state of emergency be lifted and the Sole Administrator removed from office, as the conditions that led to his appointment no longer exist. Most importantly, we call for the full restoration of democratic governance in Rivers State, including the reinstatement of Sir Siminalayi Fubara as the duly elected Governor,” the petitioners concluded.

Their petition shows the increasing frustration among Rivers people with the ongoing administration under emergency rule, with the demand for transparency, accountability, and a return to democratic governance.