ABUJA, Nigeria (CHATNEWSTV) — The Rivers Progressives Mandate has accused the Military Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd.), of “bias, contempt, and vindictiveness,” following the abrupt postponement of his scheduled meeting with the House of Representatives Ad-Hoc Committee.
In a strongly worded statement made available to news outlets on Friday, the group’s Public Relations Officer, Peter Nmerukini, described the postponement as “an insult to the intelligence of Rivers people and a direct attack on transparency, justice, and due process.”
“Once again, the Sole Administrator has shown his true colour,” Nmerukini said. “The sudden and unceremonious postponement of this critical engagement is nothing short of a calculated move to avoid scrutiny.”
No official reason was given for the cancellation of the meeting, which was expected to address pressing concerns over recent political developments and administrative decisions in the state.
According to the group, Ibas’s actions over the past three weeks have raised red flags about his intentions and loyalties. “No accountability was displayed. Just an arrogant brush-off of a statutory duty. This is not leadership. This is political puppetry at its worst,” Nmerukini said.
The statement further accused the Military Administrator of dodging public scrutiny while allegedly taking instructions from unnamed political backers.
“Is it that he hasn’t received his full script yet from those who planted him in office? Or is he waiting for clearance from his political paymasters to know what version of the ‘lies’ to present?” the group queried.
Since assuming office, the statement noted, Ibas has been seen visiting project sites and meeting with “a selective few,” raising concerns about exclusivity and lack of transparency.
“This postponement is not about preparation, it is about manipulation,” the group said. “It’s a cowardly attempt to buy time and shield the real architects of the illegality that has unfolded in the past three weeks.”
Nmerukini also accused the administrator of undermining the democratic gains of Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s administration, suggesting the current leadership is driven by vengeance rather than service.
“The Sole Administrator is merely a pawn, installed not to serve the people, but to serve the ego of a few who believe public institutions are personal property,” he said.
The House Ad-Hoc Committee is yet to comment on the postponement or announce a new date for the rescheduled session.
