FG to Release Rivers State Allocation to Administrator Ibas

The Federal Government has confirmed that Rivers State’s allocation will be released to the newly appointed Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok Ibas (retd.), once he assumes office.

Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, disclosed this while addressing State House correspondents at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Wednesday.

Supreme Court Withholds Rivers Allocation

The Supreme Court had earlier withheld the state’s allocation due to the political crisis, ruling that funds could only be accessed after proper appropriation by the State House of Assembly.

However, following the declaration of emergency rule in Rivers State by President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday, Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and House of Assembly members were suspended.

Federal Government Justifies Emergency Rule

Responding to questions on fund disbursement, Fagbemi stated that releasing the allocation to Ibas would be appropriate under the current circumstances.

“If the administrator requests it, I will say it should be released to him. The extraordinary situation has brought them out of the normal process of governance,” he explained.

He also defended the President’s decision, dismissing criticisms that other intervention methods should have been explored.

“The President acted at the right time. He gave all parties involved the opportunity to resolve the crisis. Before this, he tried to mediate,” Fagbemi said.