President Bola Tinubu has summoned Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), the immediate past sole administrator of Rivers State, to Aso Rock for a crucial meeting.
Ibas, who left office on September 17 after six months in charge of the oil-rich state, arrived at the Presidential Villa at about 5:50 pm on Tuesday.
He was dressed in brown native attire and was accompanied by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, and the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukayede.
Eyewitnesses at the villa said Edun first entered the building alone but left quickly, only to return minutes later with a file, signaling the seriousness of the discussions.
The meeting comes just days after President Tinubu ended the emergency rule in Rivers State, which had seen Governor Sim Fubara, his deputy, and members of the House of Assembly suspended.
The president directed their reinstatement last Thursday, returning political leadership to democratic structures.
During Ibas’s tenure, Rivers State reportedly received at least ₦254.37 billion from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) between March and August 2025.
This huge inflow has sparked scrutiny from stakeholders in the state.
The Rivers State House of Assembly, led by Speaker Martin Amaewhule, announced during its first plenary session after the emergency rule that it would investigate how funds were managed during the six-month period.
The lawmakers specifically vowed to review contract awards and expenditures drawn from the consolidated revenue fund.
In response, Ibas strongly rejected the proposed probe, insisting that his administration acted within legal and financial guidelines.
However, pressure continues to mount as civil society groups and political observers question how the massive allocations were spent.
President Tinubu’s decision to summon Ibas alongside the finance minister and the EFCC chairman suggests that the federal government is closely monitoring the matter and may push for a transparent audit of Rivers State’s emergency rule spending.
The development also raises speculation about possible political rifts in the state, as opposition voices warn that accountability must not be sacrificed for political expediency.
For now, the details of the meeting remain undisclosed, but sources suggest that Tinubu is determined to ensure financial accountability in Rivers State after months of tension, emergency rule, and political uncertainty.