PDP accuses NASS of abdicating oversight role over Rivers LGA administrators

… says Ibas flaunting illegality, undermining rule of law, democratic process

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has criticised the National Assembly for allegedly abandoning its constitutional oversight role over the Rivers State Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), following his controversial appointment of sole administrators for all local government councils in the state.

Speaking to Tribune Online, the South-South Zonal Caretaker Chairman of the PDP, Emmanuel Ogidi, accused Ibas of “flaunting illegality” and warned that the development signals a complete breakdown of democratic norms in Rivers State.

ALSO READ: Despite Court order, Ibas appoints administrators for 23 Rivers LGAs

The appointment of Ibas as Sole Administrator in December 2024 followed a proclamation of a state of emergency in Rivers State by President Bola Tinubu.

While the President initially designated the Federal Executive Council (FEC) as the oversight authority, the National Assembly amended the proclamation, vesting itself with supervisory powers over the administrator’s actions.

However, the PDP said that legislative oversight has all but disappeared.

Ogidi said the latest appointments of unelected local government sole administrators by Ibas are unlawful, pointing to a Federal High Court ruling which had restrained the sole administrator from taking such action.

He lamented what he described as the National Assembly’s silence in the face of such “brazen violation” of the rule of law.

“We are flaunting illegality. There is no more democratic process in Rivers State. That’s the meaning. He (Ibas) can do whatever he likes, and there’s no check on his powers because the National Assembly has abandoned its responsibility,” Ogidi stated.

A Federal High Court in Port Harcourt had on Tuesday issued a restraining order barring Ibas from appointing administrators to local councils.

The ruling, delivered by Justice Adam Muhammed in Suit No. FHC/PH/CS/46/2025, followed a suit filed by a civil society organisation, PILEX Centre for Civic Education Initiative, challenging the legality of the proposed appointments.

Despite the ruling, Ibas went ahead to announce the appointment of council administrators less than 24 hours later, further deepening concerns over a growing disregard for the judiciary in the state.

Ogidi further referenced a Supreme Court judgment affirming that local governments must be governed by elected officials and that statutory allocations should only be released to elected councils.

He said the continued funding of unelected local administrators in Rivers State directly contravenes the apex court’s decision.

“The court has ruled that there should be elections in every local government before money can be released. And now money will be released to unelected appointees. That is a clear disregard for the rule of law,” he said.

The PDP leader also accused Ibas of acting as though he were above the law, pointing out that even in cases where a governor dissolves an executive council, permanent secretaries are appointed in acting capacities to maintain continuity and preserve democratic structures.

“If a state governor dissolves his Exco, he hands over to permanent secretaries. But here, you’re bypassing all democratic processes and appointing sole administrators without due process. That’s unacceptable in a democracy,” he said.

Ogidi reserved strong criticism for the National Assembly, accusing it of running away from its responsibility. He reminded the public that the Senate had asserted its authority to regulate the activities of the sole administrator but has since failed to exercise that power.

“Where is the National Assembly now?

“It appears they’ve quietly handed over unchecked powers to the sole administrator. There’s no oversight, and it’s very glaring” he said.

He argued that the silence of the legislature is enabling the erosion of constitutional governance in Rivers State, warning that the precedent being set could have serious implications for democratic governance across the country.

The crisis in Rivers State has remained a flashpoint since late 2023, when political tensions between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his predecessor, former Governor Nyesom Wike, spiraled into violent confrontations and institutional paralysis.

President Tinubu’s intervention in December – appointing Ibas as sole administrator – was seen as a temporary fix, but analysts and critics now warn that it may have worsened the democratic deficit in the state.

Despite these concerns, neither the Senate leadership nor the House of Representatives has issued a formal statement regarding the recent actions of the Rivers State Sole Administrator.

The PDP is now demanding urgent legislative scrutiny and accountability to preserve democratic norms in the state.

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