The House of Representatives has inaugurated an Ad-Hoc Committee on Rivers State Oversight, scheduled for Tuesday, April 15 amid the declared state of emergency in the oil-rich state.
Disclosing this in a statement issued on Sunday, the spokesman for the House, Akin Rotimi, Jr., said the establishment of the committee followed the National Assembly’s approval of a modified version of the State of Emergency proclamation submitted by President Bola Tinubu.
The House spokesman stated that amendments to the proclamation were adopted after intense deliberations aimed at bolstering democratic safeguards and ensuring adherence to the doctrine of checks and balances.
Significantly, he said the amended proclamation places oversight responsibility for the emergency regulations with the National Assembly rather than the Federal Executive Council.
Rotimi stated, “In line with Section 5 of the State of Emergency (Rivers State) Proclamation, 2025, and pursuant to Section 11(4) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the House has constituted a dedicated Ad-Hoc Committee to monitor implementation and ensure that governance in the state remains within the bounds of constitutionalism and rule of law.”
According to him, the committee will be chaired by Rt. Hon. Prof. Julius Ihonvbere.
Rt. Hon. Ali Isa J.C. will serve as Deputy Chairman, while other members include Rt. Hon. Isiaka Ibrahim; Rt. Hon. Idris Ahmed Wase; Aliyu Muktar Betera; Sada Soli; James Abiodun Faleke; Igariwey Iduma Enwo; Shehu Saleh Rijau, and Wole Oke.
Others are Akarachi Etinosa Amadi; Patrick Umoh; James Barka; Alex Egbona; Isa Anka; Amos Daniel; Erhiatake Ibori-Suenu; Onuh Onyeche Blessing, and Fatima Talba.
The statement further noted that the committee’s secretariat will be headed by Prof. Jake Dan-Azumi.
Rotimi emphasised the legislature’s commitment to upholding the supremacy of the Constitution and maintaining democratic integrity during the period of emergency governance.
He added, “This development underscores the resolve of the House of Representatives to uphold the supremacy of the Constitution and ensure that the extraordinary measures undertaken during the emergency period remain subject to legislative oversight, guided by transparency, accountability, and the best interest of the good people of Rivers State.”
