The immediate past Administrator of Rivers State , Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), is poised for a confrontation with the Rivers State House of Assembly following its decision to investigate state expenditures during his tenure. Ibas ceased to be the administrator on September 17, after the end of a six-month emergency rule mandated by President Bola Tinubu.

The Rivers State House of Assembly, led by Speaker Martin Amaewhule, announced its intention to probe expenditures from the consolidated revenue fund during the emergency rule. This investigation aims to clarify spending related to contracts and other financial activities.

Reports indicate that Rivers State received approximately N254.37 billion from the Federation Account Allocation Committee between March and August 2025 during Ibas’s administration. This funding breakdown reveals significant reliance on the 13% derivation from oil revenue, which accounted for over half of the state’s allocations.

Despite these substantial inflows, the state has not published its 2025 Budget Implementation Report, leaving residents unaware of how funds have been allocated for capital projects and other expenses. Civil society organizations have called for accountability, suspecting mismanagement of the state’s resources.

Ibas responded to the assembly’s probe by stating that the lawmakers lacked the authority to investigate him, as they did not appoint him as administrator. He characterized their actions as an attempt to fulfill legislative duties after a long hiatus.