Prominent human rights activist Annkio Briggs has called for the immediate past sole administrator of Rivers State, Ibok-Ete Ibas, to be held accountable for the state’s finances during his tenure, alleging misuse of public funds.
Briggs made the remarks during an interview on Sunday Politics, a current affairs programme broadcast on Channels Television. She insisted that Ibas, who oversaw the state for a six-month period under controversial circumstances, must provide a detailed account of how state funds were utilised during his administration.
“He [Ibok-Ete Ibas] spent our money. He has to account to the people of Rivers State, even to Nigerians, for the sake of integrity and for the sake of justice and fairness,” she said.
Briggs criticised the notion that Ibas could administer the state and manage public funds for half a year without consequences or scrutiny.
“Because you can’t come into a state and get hold of all their resources and funds, stay there for six months, and just walk away as if you were never there,” she added.
“It’s our money.”
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The activist also addressed broader political issues in Rivers State, particularly the recent lifting of the state of emergency imposed for six months. She questioned the level of gratitude expressed by state leaders, including Governor Siminalayi Fubara, towards President Bola Tinubu, who had played a role in suspending the emergency measure.
When asked whether she shared the governor’s apparent appreciation for President Tinubu’s intervention, Briggs responded bluntly.
“Definitely not. I think the president himself will be aware that not everybody in Rivers State will be eternally grateful to him,” she said.
Briggs also used the platform to voice her disillusionment with the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), which has traditionally enjoyed strong support in Rivers State since Nigeria’s return to democracy in 1999.
“As a stakeholder and elder, I feel very let down by the PDP,” she stated. “If they had stepped in and done what they should have done right from the beginning, the PDP would not find itself where it is today.”
