Coalition asks Ibok-Ete Ibas to declare his assets ‘to prevent self-enrichment’

The Coalition of Conscientious Citizens (3Cs) has asked Ibok-Ete Ibas, the sole administrator of Rivers, to declare his assets.

On March 18, President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in the oil-rich state over the political crisis and instability in the state.

He also suspended Siminalayi Fubara, governor of the state; his deputy, Ngozi Odu; and all members of the Rivers assembly for an initial period of six months.

The president immediately appointed Ibas, a retired naval chief, as the state’s sole administrator.

Speaking at a news conference on Sunday in Abuja, Gabriel Nnaji, the group’s executive director, said Ibas’ failure to declare his assets could lead to self-enrichment.

“Our concerns have been further heightened by the reports we are getting from inside the administration,” Nnaji said.

“It is especially concerning given the speed with which the withheld allocations for local governments were released without further changes in the judicial status of the excuses earlier given for withholding them.”

Nnaji said it is controversial for Ibas to summarily suspend Fubara’s political appointees who are supposed to work with him.

“Arising from the foregoing, we urge vice admiral Ibas not to complicate issues for himself. He must immediately declare his asset to remedy his failure to fulfil the constitutional requirement to do the same before taking the oath of office as the sole administrator of Rivers state,” Nnaji said.

“Given that vice admiral Ibas does not enjoy the mandate of Rivers state electorates being the product of a fiat, there is an additional burden on him to publicly declare his assets. This will ensure he does not enrich himself at the expense of the state.”

He said the coalition’s demand is in line with section 185 (1) of the constitution.

“We are also putting vice admiral Ibas on notice that the Coalition of Conscientious Citizens (3Cs) will lead an amalgamation of willing Nigerians and organisations to place his tenure under constant scrutiny and ensure that any misuse or personalisation of the resources of Rivers state shall attract legal consequences,” he said.

Nnaji said Ibas has seven days to publicly declare his assets, adding if he fails to do so, the coalition will take legal action against him.