“You Have No Authority To Make Laws” – House Of Reps Warns Rivers Sole Administrator

The House of Representatives has issued a reminder to Rivers State Sole Administrator, retired Vice Admiral Ibok Ete Ibas, that he does not have the legal power to make laws or pass a state budget.

This comes after Ibok Ete Ibas Ibas revealed plans to prepare a new budget for the state, following the emergency rule declared by President Bola Tinubu in March.

The emergency suspension had sidelined both the state governor and the House of Assembly for six months due to ongoing political tensions.

Speaking to PUNCH on Sunday, the House’s Deputy Spokesman, Philip Agbese, said the Speaker of the House, Tajudeen Abbas, is in talks with other House leaders to create a committee that will keep a close watch on the actions of the sole administrator.

Agbese emphasized that only the National Assembly has the constitutional authority to make laws, not the administrator.

He warned that if Admiral Ibas oversteps his role, the House would respond accordingly, which could include passing a vote of no confidence.

He said, “The Sole Administrator does not have the authority to carry out the National Assembly’s function of making laws under the current circumstances.

“The Speaker of the House is consulting with the leadership to establish a committee to oversee the administrator’s activities and ensure that the interests of Rivers State are represented.

“We assume that the President has been informed of our resolution regarding the administrator’s appointment and mandate.

“Should the administrator exceed his authority, the House will take necessary actions, including the possibility of a vote of no confidence, to ensure accountability and adherence to the rule of law.”

The political crisis began with a fallout between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the Rivers State House of Assembly, which led to the president’s decision to suspend both parties and appoint Admiral Ibas to temporarily oversee the state.

During a recent meeting with the state’s National Assembly members, Admiral Ibas said the government had decided to draft a new budget that would focus on health, education, infrastructure, social services, and job creation.

He stated that the aim was to ensure the state doesn’t fall behind in development and that the budgeting process would be fast, transparent, and inclusive.

He also mentioned that key sectors like agriculture and technology would receive attention in the proposed budget.

Despite these plans, the House of Reps has made it clear that any move to create laws or pass budgets without proper legal authority would not be tolerated.

KanyiDaily recalls that Rivers Sole Administrator, Retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, recently approved the disbursement of March salaries for civil servants, public sector workers, pensioners, and suspended political appointees.