Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, announced on Wednesday that the state’s emergency rule administrator, Vice Admiral Ibot-Eke Ibas (retd.), left N600 billion in the government’s coffers upon the expiration of the six-month emergency period declared by President Bola Tinubu.
Governor Fubara also disclosed that his own administration had left over N300 billion in the treasury before the emergency rule took effect on March 18. The presidential proclamation, which placed the state under temporary administration, was lifted on September 18.
The governor made these clarifications while inaugurating the redesigned 14.2km Obodhi-Ozochi Road in Ahoada East and Ahoada West Local Government Areas. The project was originally initiated by his predecessor and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
Fubara’s statement served as a direct response to repeated claims by the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Martins Amaewhule, regarding the finances left by the interim administrator.
“When we left during the emergency rule, our records are there. We left over N300 billion, and when we came back, we met about N600 billion,” Fubara stated.
He assured the public of full transparency, pledging that detailed records of all expenditures would be made public within the next six months. “Every penny that we are spending, the records are there, and the evidence of it will be shown between now and the next six months,” he affirmed.
Emphasising his commitment to integrity, the governor added, “Nobody can take away my sincerity. I am not associated with anything that has to do with fraudulent acts. If there is one thing I can say and do, and I am even proud of, it is that nobody can associate me with anything that has to do with any bad thing.”
Fubara, a career accountant, highlighted his professional background in record-keeping, tracing his diligence to tenures even before the immediate past administration. “Right from the time I started taking responsibility in accounts, my records are there… If it comes to issues of record keeping, it is my profession,” he said.
The governor also explained his administration’s preference for commissioning completed projects rather than conducting ceremonial flag-offs, as a cost-saving measure. “We believe in commissioning them. We don’t want to spend money to flag-off projects and also spend money to commission. So, let’s save you the money,” he said.
The event also had a political undertone, with Governor Fubara urging the large crowd mobilized by his Chief of Staff, Edison Ehie, to translate their support into votes for the re-election of President Bola Tinubu in 2027.
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