Budget scandal in Rivers: Officials withhold financial records as Ibas sounds alarm

The Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (rtd), has raised the alarm over the non-disclosure of key financial records by certain state officials, a development that has complicated efforts to account for government expenditure in the first quarter of 2025.

Ibas made the disclosure on Thursday while defending the N1.4 trillion 2025 Appropriation Bill before the Senate Ad-hoc Committee on Oversight of Emergency Rule in Rivers State, chaired by Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele.

The session, held at the New Senate Building in Abuja, comes amid heightened scrutiny of governance in the state following the declaration of emergency rule by President Bola Tinubu in response to a prolonged political crisis.

“Regrettably, some state officials withheld critical information required to ensure a more complete capture of those expenditures undertaken in the first quarter at the time of submission of the budget estimates,” Ibas told the committee.

He, however, clarified that the budget—though developed under constrained circumstances—was designed in line with the Rivers State Development Plan (2017–2027), with a strong focus on people-oriented policies.

“The budget is crafted as a people-centered fiscal blueprint, responsive to present challenges and future development imperatives. We are optimistic that implementing the budget proposal will deliver great socioeconomic benefits for the people of Rivers State,” he added.

He further said the fiscal proposal provides an integrated framework to “strengthen revenue mobilisation, accelerate infrastructure delivery, enhance human capital and promote inclusive economic growth.”

In his remarks, Senator Bamidele reiterated that the imposition of emergency rule was a constitutional intervention and not a permanent substitute for democratic governance.

“Emergency rule is not a replacement for democratic government in any political climate,” he noted. “Rather, it is an extraordinary measure designed to restore order in times of disorder, peace in place of conflict, and stability instead of instability.”

Referencing Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), Bamidele clarified that the emergency intervention in Rivers State followed due process and was rooted in legal provisions.

He stressed that the Senate expects full transparency in the administration of the state’s budget under emergency rule, vowing that the committee will continue its oversight function until normalcy is restored.

“As representatives of the people, we are not only tasked with evaluating figures but also with ensuring the faithful budget execution,” Bamidele declared.

“It is our mandate to track how allocated resources are utilised—project-by-project, sector-by-sector—to guarantee transparency and uphold accountability in the use of public funds.”

He warned that the ad-hoc committee’s engagement with the budget would not end at approval, but would extend to post-budget monitoring.

“We shall, in the coming months, assess the performance of the budget by closely monitoring disbursements, execution timelines, and delivery outcomes,” he said.

According to Bamidele, the ultimate objective is to ensure that government funds produce tangible results and improve the lives of Rivers residents.

“We must ask: will this budget deliver proven roads, healthcare, education, safety, and livelihoods for the people?” he queried. “This, ultimately, is how we build trust in government and public institutions like ours.”

The Rivers State budget defence comes against the backdrop of political instability and growing calls for accountability in emergency governance.

The Senate’s 18-member ad-hoc committee includes key figures such as the Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Tahir Munguno; Deputy Chief Whip, Senator Peter Nwebonyi; Chairman of the Senate Committee on Land Transport, Senator Adamu Aliero; and Chair of the Finance Committee, Senator Sani Musa, among others.