…Says Gov. Fubara left a reserve of N290BN
By Omolara Akintoye
Professionals for Efficient Governance, (PREG), a non governmental organisation, has slammed four lawsuits against the Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Ibok-Ete Ibas challenging his unconstitutional actions and activities in the state.
This was stated at a press conference held today in Port Harcourt, Rivers State by PREG’s spokesperson, Barrister Soseipiriye LongWilliams,
The suits include:
PHC/1431/CS/2025 – challenging the legality of appointing Sole Administrators for Local Government Councils in Rivers State, referencing the recent Supreme Court decision in SC/CV/343/2024.
PHC/1434/CS/2025 – challenging the dissolution of the Rivers State Judicial Service Commission.
PHC/1437/CS/2025 – questioning the legality of dissolving and reconstituting the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission.
PHC/1440/CS/2025 – contesting the dissolution and reconstitution of the Rivers State Civil Service Commission.
According to LongWilliams, the group took legal action after observing a “trend of illegality” under the Sole Administrator.
“As professionals, we cannot sit back and watch the erosion of democratic structures. If we do nothing, then what is the point of our training?” he said.
Speaks further, “there was no constitutional crisis to justify what he described as an “emergency governance arrangement” in Rivers State. “Whatever disagreements existed between the State House of Assembly and Governor Fubara were being handled within the framework of the law,” he added.
The group also demanded a full financial update from the Sole Administrator, claiming that before Governor Fubara’s suspension, Rivers State had a reserve of N290 billion and was not indebted.
“Since the Sole Administrator assumed office, we have not received any financial briefing. We don’t know how much the state has earned, spent, or saved. This is unacceptable.”
He emphasised that while a governor provides annual financial updates, a monthly-appointed administrator should be required to give monthly reports.
PREG however vowed not to remain silent as democratic institutions in the state are “dismantled,” promising to use every legal means to resist what they termed “unconstitutional governance.”
