Sole Administrator Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd) has confirmed that the N1.48 trillion 2025 budget for Rivers State anticipates the return of suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara and other political officeholders once emergency rule ends.
Speaking on Wednesday, 11 June 2025, during a defence session before the House of Representatives ad-hoc committee on Rivers emergency rule, Ibas disclosed that the state’s budget was intentionally structured to accommodate the resumption of constitutional governance.
Fubara was suspended in March amid a political crisis that led to the imposition of emergency rule and dissolution of the State Executive Council.
Budget Crafted for Return to Civil Rule
Ibas told lawmakers that the budget was developed with foresight, ensuring that financial provisions were maintained for suspended officials, including those who had accessed funds in Q1 before the emergency declaration.
“In anticipation of the eventual return to constitutional order, the draft budget prudently retains provisions for the offices and functions of suspended political actors, some of whom have already drawn on allocated resources in the first quarter and are expected to resume their duties at the expiration of the emergency period,” he said.
Crisis Background and Federal Takeover
Fubara’s suspension followed violent political clashes between his supporters and loyalists of his predecessor, Nyesom Wike.
The unrest prompted President Bola Tinubu to declare emergency rule in Rivers State, dissolve the executive council, and appoint Ibas to administer the state temporarily.
Ibas further revealed difficulties in achieving financial transparency regarding expenses incurred before the emergency rule, blaming some state officials for withholding critical data.
“Before the state of emergency declaration by His Excellency President Bola Tinubu, regrettably, some state officials withheld critical information required to ensure a more complete capture of those expenditures at the time of submission of the budget estimates,” he noted.
According to Ibas, the emergency fiscal proposal was crafted under the authority of Section 11(4) of the 1999 Constitution and formally submitted to the National Assembly for consideration and approval.
Reiterating the federal government’s commitment to stabilising Rivers State, Ibas emphasised the budget’s inclusive approach to rebuilding governance and supporting local innovation.
“God willing, every River citizen with a great idea, carefully thought out, and well-planned will find the funding required to turn their dreams into successful ventures, irrespective of tribe, ethnic, or political divide,” he said.