Emergency Rule: Egbona, 18 Other Reps To Oversight Rivers SOLAD
The House of Representatives ad-hoc committee that will oversight the activities of the Rivers State Sole Administrator, Retired Air Vice Admiral Ibok-Ette Ibas will be inaugurated in Abuja on Tuesday, April 15.
Among members of the committee are the member representing Abi/Yakurr Federal Constituency in the National Assembly, Dr Alex Egbona. There are 18 other members in the committee, with Prof. Julius Ihonvbere as chairman.
Egbona wrote in his verified official facebook page on Monday that “I have been selected, together with 18 of my colleagues in the House of Reps, as member of the House ad-hoc committee that will oversight the activities of the sole administrator of River State, Retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ette Ibas. The committee will be inaugurated tomorrow.
“It is a rare privilege to be so chosen for this critical role in our political history and I trust that God will give us the wisdom to perform our duties as expected, in the interest of good governance and peace in River State and in our country.
“I thank the speaker, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, for finding me worthy to be a part of this committee. With your prayers, we will excel in this assignment.”
Egbona’s appointment into the ad-hoc committee follows the resolution of the National Assembly approving the proclamation, with amendments, by His Excellency, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, declaring a State of Emergency in Rivers State – dated March 18, 2025.
The proclamation, as originally transmitted by the president, was subjected to careful legislative scrutiny and subsequently amended and passed on March 20, 2025, by the National Assembly. Notably, the National Assembly introduced key safeguards to ensure a constitutionally guided, transparent, and balanced response to the situation in Rivers State.
One of the most significant amendments was the substitution of the Federal Executive Council with the National Assembly as the oversight authority for all regulations issued during the emergency period.
In particular, pursuant to Section 5 of the State of Emergency (Rivers State) Proclamation, 2025 – and in accordance with Section 11(4) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria – all regulations issued by the Sole Administrator during the emergency period shall be subject to the oversight of the National Assembly.
Other members of the committee include Ali Isa J.C as deputy chairman, Isiaka Ibrahim, Idris Ahmed Wase, Aliyu Muktar Betera, Rep. Sada Soli, James Abiodun Faleke, Igariwey Iduma Enwo, Shehu Saleh Rijau, Wole Oke, Akarachi Etinosa Amadi, Patrick Umoh and James Barka.
The others are Isa Anka, Amos Daniel, Erhiatake Ibori-Suenu, Onuh Onyeche Blessing and Fatima Talba, while Prof Jake Dan-Azumi is to run the secretariat.
