The Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral (Retd.) Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, has formally summoned the suspended Governor of Rivers State, Siminialayi Fubara, and his Deputy, Dr. Ngozi Ordu, to the Government House for an inquiry regarding appointments made during their administration in the past two years.
The reported summons immediately elicited doubt and anger among Nigerians who saw the Sole Administrator as going beyond his remit.
In a widely circulated statement, which authenticity was doubted in media circles, authored and issued by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Ibibia Lucky Worika, Fubara was required to present all relevant documents and records related to appointments.
The inquiry, the notice said, would review justifications and procedural details followed during Fubara’s paused tenure, and it would also provide an opportunity for the suspended Governor to explain in detail why he believed he should be reinstated to office.
“Both the Governor and his Deputy must appear in person on Friday, 18th April 2025, at 10:00 am.
“The session will be held at the Conference Room, Rivers State Government House in Port Harcourt. Attendance at this inquiry is mandatory.
“This inquiry is part of the Sole Administrator’s ongoing efforts to restore transparency and accountability in the governance of Rivers State, as well as to work towards lasting peace and stability in the region,” the public notice was quoted to have said.
As of the time of this report, no official rebuttal of the summons had been issued by the office of the Rivers State Sole Administrator.
Nigerians have kicked against the summons with a unanimity in position that the Administrator had exceeded the remit of the illegal emergency administration and that Fubara should not dignify it with an attendance.
