The Federal Government has expressed readiness to release Rivers State’s withheld monthly allocations to its newly appointed sole administrator, retired Chief of Naval Staff Ibok-Ete Ibas.
Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, described the move as an “extraordinary” measure necessitated by the current situation in the state.
“And to me, it will be in order for the release of that fund because the event of the extraordinary situation has brought them out of the normal situation of things,” Fagbemi stated while addressing State House correspondents at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Ibas was appointed by President Bola Tinubu to oversee Rivers State for six months following the declaration of a state of emergency. This decision led to the immediate suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, the House of Assembly, and other elected officials.
Under his appointment, Ibas wields full control over the state’s governance, including the management of federal allocations.
With the House of Assembly dissolved, no legislative body remains to provide oversight on expenditures, raising concerns over checks and balances.
Meanwhile, Tinubu’s emergency rule declaration has yet to be ratified by the National Assembly.
Both the Senate and House of Representatives concluded their legislative activities on Wednesday without deliberating on the proclamation sent by the President.
