President Bola Tinubu has assured that Rivers State’s financial allocation will be directed to the newly appointed administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Étè Ibas (retd.), amid the ongoing political crisis in the state.
Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, made this known while addressing journalists at the State House in Abuja.
He defended Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency, stating that it was necessary to prevent a complete political breakdown in the state.
Fagbemi also dismissed speculations that Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, played a role in the crisis that led to the emergency intervention.
On Tuesday, Tinubu suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu, and all elected members of the Rivers State House of Assembly for an initial six-month period, citing constitutional violations, political instability, and security concerns.
The president appointed Ibas as the state’s administrator and assured that the judiciary in Rivers State would remain operational.
He also stated that the state government would function under federal supervision until stability is restored.