The Federal Government has confirmed that allocations for Rivers State will be disbursed to the newly appointed Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok Ibas (retd.), following President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in the state.
READ ALSO: Fubara reacts to suspension, state of emergency in Rivers
The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, made this known on Wednesday while addressing journalists at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. He stated that the administrator has the authority to request funds from the federation account, and the federal government would honor such a request.
Fagbemi defended Tinubu’s decision to declare a state of emergency, describing it as a necessary intervention to prevent further deterioration of the political crisis in Rivers. According to him, the President’s action was timely and aimed at averting chaos.
“We have about two years into the administration in the state. Now, when do you think he should have come in? Is it when everything has been destroyed? I don’t think so,” he said.
In a national broadcast on Tuesday, President Tinubu suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and all Rivers State lawmakers for six months, citing political instability, constitutional breaches, and security concerns.
The crisis stems from a power struggle between Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, now FCT Minister, though the federal government insists Wike played no role.
To restore order, Tinubu appointed ex-Naval Chief Vice Admiral Ibok Ibas (retd.) as administrator, assuring that the judiciary would remain unaffected.
