The House of Representatives Ad-Hoc Committee on the State of Emergency in Rivers State says it will reconvene for a briefing at a later date with the state’s Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd.), on Friday, April 25.
The committee, in a statement by its chairman and House Leader, Prof. Julius Ihonvbere, said the new date for the rescheduled engagement would be communicated soon.
It stated that Ibas’ presence and formal apology before lawmakers were seen as a sign of “respect and responsibility.”
“The Committee described the Administrator’s appearance and apology as a demonstration of ‘respect and responsibility,’” the statement read.
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“In line with the House’s tradition of fairness, the apology was ‘magnanimously accepted.’”
Ibas had earlier failed to honour previous invitations but submitted a letter the night before the meeting expressing regret over his absence.
He also used Friday’s session to request more time to return with a more detailed and substantive briefing.
“The Committee reiterates its commitment to discharging its constitutional mandate under Sections 11(4) and 88 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) with diligence, impartiality, and in the best interest of democratic governance and national stability,” the statement read.
Prof. Ihonvbere stressed the importance of stakeholder cooperation and assured that the panel remained open to “constructive dialogue in pursuit of accountability and the rule of law.”