Politics

Tinubu Summons Former Rivers Administrator Ibas Amid State Assembly Probe

President Bola Tinubu has summoned Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, the immediate past Administrator of Rivers State, to Aso Villa, in a development closely linked to the planned investigation by the state House of Assembly into the administration’s finances during his tenure.

Ibas arrived at the presidential villa around 5:50 pm, accompanied by Minister of Finance Wale Edun and EFCC Chairman Ola Olukayede. Sources confirmed that Edun had earlier entered the villa, left, and returned carrying a file, underscoring the significance of the meeting.

The Rivers State House of Assembly, led by Speaker Martin Amaewhule, recently resolved to scrutinise the state’s expenditures under Ibas’ six-month administration, particularly allocations from the consolidated revenue fund for contracts and other financial activities. Ibas, however, has rejected the probe, setting the stage for a potentially contentious review of his tenure.

During his six-month administration, from March to September 2025, Ibas oversaw the state’s affairs while Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy were suspended. The state reportedly received at least N254.37 billion from the Federation Account Allocation Committee during this period.

Details of Ibas’ closed-door meeting with President Tinubu remain undisclosed, but political observers suggest it is directly connected to the Assembly’s investigative plans.

The outcome of the meeting is likely to shape the next phase of the financial probe, which has already stirred political debates in Rivers Statete

Olayinka Babatunde