A coalition of civil society organisations (CSOs) in Rivers State has submitted a formal petition to the House of Representatives Ad-Hoc Committee overseeing the political crisis in the state.

The petition, signed by 17 CSOs, accused Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (Rtd.), the state’s Sole Administrator, of gross financial misconduct and alleges he is operating under the directives of Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.

Dated April 16, 2025, and addressed to the chairman of the committee, the petition claimed that Ibas’s actions have worsened the ongoing political crisis and urges the committee to urgently restore democratic governance in Rivers.

The CSOs expressed grave concern over what they describe as “severe, provocative and brazen acts of lawlessness and impunity” committed by Ibas, arguing that his conduct contradicts the constitutional principles underpinning the emergency rule declared by President Bola Tinubu on March 18, 2025.

“We wish to humbly bring to your attention the severe, provocative and brazen acts of lawlessness and impunity which are being executed on a daily basis by the Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (Rtd.). These actions have been worsening and aggravating the political crises in Rivers State,” the petition reads.

“It is rather regrettable that while your Committee is yet to give any approval of significant measure to the State Administrator, the latter has resorted to taking directives and instructions from Chief Ezenwo Nyesom Wike. Under the instructions of Chief Wike, he has dismantled the entire structures of democratic governance in Rivers State.”

The CSOs further alleged that over N100 billion in state funds has been spent recklessly with no tangible development to show for it.

“We are further piqued by the reckless, irresponsible and uncontrollable expenditure of funds of the Rivers State Government by the State Administrator without compliance with due and laid down processes,” they assert.

“We understand that the State Administrator has already expended over One Hundred Billion Naira with nothing on ground to show or justify this humongous expenditure.”

They also faulted Ibas for failing to engage political actors or stakeholders to ease tensions or broker peace.

“It is a matter of great worry and regret that since his appointment, the State Administrator has not made any genuine attempt and effort to consult the warring gladiators in the Rivers State crises in order to secure peace and reconciliation between them,” the petition noted.

“The State Administrator has also not made any move to interface with the generality of Rivers State stakeholders so as to forge alliances for the reconciliation of the warring parties and the resolution of the crises.”

In addition, the petitioners accused Ibas of openly favouring Wike’s camp in government appointments and administrative actions.

“What the State Administrator has rather done with shameless impunity is to take side with the Nyesom Wike faction and pilot the affairs of the State as their ally and nominee who is simply playing out his script prepared by them. This, as you know, is clearly unacceptable to the generality of Rivers people,” the document stated.

The coalition urged the House Committee to take urgent steps to ensure accountability and democratic stability.

“We are indeed afraid that if the State Administrator is not immediately checked, he would waste and fritter away all the funds of our state Government on recklessness and designed political heist,” they warned.

In their plea, the CSOs asked the committee to overturn suspensions imposed on political appointees and reinstate all statutory institutions and positions dissolved or altered by the Administrator.

“In view of all the above, we respectfully urge your Honourable Ad-Hoc Committee to immediately order the cancellation and reversal of all suspensions meted out to political appointees in Rivers State by the Sole Administrator. We believe these suspensions were unlawful and aimed at weakening democratic institutions and voices in the state. It is imperative that those appointments be reinstated to protect constitutional order and governance processes,” they stated.

“We further pray that all statutory boards, commissions, and government agencies suspended by the Administrator be restored without delay. Equally, we ask this Honourable Committee to nullify and set aside all such boards, commissions, and agencies that the Administrator has purportedly reconstituted in defiance of due process. These actions, we believe, were carried out with neither legal backing nor consultation and must be reversed to protect institutional integrity.

“We also demand that the Honourable Committee reverse the appointment of Administrators in the twenty-three Local Government Councils and reinstate the status quo that existed before the Sole Administrator’s assumption of office. These local government changes are a direct assault on local autonomy and the democratic will of the people. In addition, we call for a thorough and transparent probe into all financial expenditures carried out by the Administrator since his appointment.

“Lastly, we strongly urge this Committee to issue an immediate directive halting any plans by the Administrator to conduct local government elections in Rivers State under the current illegal structure. We also ask that the state of emergency be lifted and the Sole Administrator removed from office, as the conditions that led to his appointment no longer exist. Most importantly, we call for the full restoration of democratic governance in Rivers State, including the reinstatement of Sir Siminalayi Fubara as the duly elected Governor,” the petitioners concluded.

The petition bears the signatures of several prominent civil society and professional leaders, including Mrs. Cordelia U. Eke, NBA Port Harcourt Chairman; Abiye A. Abo, Esq., NBA Degema; Hilda Desmond-Ihekaire (Ph.D), NBA Ahoada; Tamunosiki A. Roberts, Esq., NBA Okrika; Dr. Godswill U. Dike, Lawyers Vanguard for Good Governance; Chizy Enyi Esq., Initiative For Transparent Strategy and Good Leadership; and Chetam Thierry Nwala Esq., Solomon’s Centre for Truth and Reconciliation Initiative.

Additional signatories include Bethel Nte, Rivers Alliance For Good Governance; Comr. Solomon Len, Ogoni Development Drive; The Most Snr. Comr. Emeni Ibe, Orashi National Congress; Ahata Kaio, Rivers State Indigenous Muslim Community; Compalloo Epelle, Push For Good Governance; Comr. Victory Chijioke Amadi, NURSS National; Comr. Frank Egb, NANS ZONE B; and Comr. Jokiel Gideon, NANS JCC Chairman, Rivers State.

Their petition shows the increasing frustration among Rivers people with the ongoing administration under emergency rule, with the demand for transparency, accountability, and a return to democratic governance.