The Federal Government has announced that funds allocated to Rivers State will be released to the newly appointed Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok Ibas (retd.).
This decision comes after President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in the state, citing political instability and security concerns.
The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, confirmed this while addressing journalists at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
He stated that the allocation would be made available once the Administrator makes a request for it, News About Nigeria reports.
President Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency led to the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and all elected members of the Rivers State House of Assembly for an initial six-month period.
The move was aimed at restoring order in the state, which had been affected by a prolonged power struggle between Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, now serving as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.
The crisis in Rivers had severely affected governance, prompting the President to intervene.
Tinubu had previously attempted to mediate between the parties involved but decided to take direct action after continued unrest.
As part of the measures, Vice Admiral Ibok Ibas, a former Chief of Naval Staff, has been appointed to oversee the affairs of the state until stability is restored.
The Attorney-General stated that Wike had no involvement in the political crisis that led to the state of emergency.
He also defended the President’s decision, saying it was necessary to prevent a complete breakdown of governance in the oil-rich state.
The declaration does not affect the judicial arm of the state, which will continue to function as required by the Constitution.
The Federal Government maintained that these actions were taken in the best interest of the people of Rivers State.
