In a bold legislative move that signals tightening federal oversight, the Nigerian Senate has pledged to closely monitor the disbursement and implementation of the ₦1.48 trillion budget of Rivers State under emergency rule.
The budget, presented by the Sole Administrator Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), is now under intense scrutiny following concerns of fiscal opacity inherited from the previous administration. During a defense session at the National Assembly, the Senate Ad-Hoc Committee on Emergency Governance, led by Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, assured the nation of a transparent, project-by-project audit of the 2025 Appropriation Bill.
“This isn’t just a ceremonial review—we’re going deep. We’re following the money to the last naira,” said Bamidele.
⚖️ The Governance Test of Emergency Rule
Amid widespread concerns that the emergency rule declared in Rivers might override democratic principles, Bamidele clarified that the intervention remains constitutional, referencing Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution.
“Emergency rule isn’t dictatorship—it’s a tool for restoring order when democracy is threatened.”
Vice Admiral Ibas echoed the urgency, warning that missing documentation and financial data from 2024 could derail accountability efforts. He highlighted bureaucratic sabotage by unnamed state officials as a barrier to progress.
Tracking the Trillion
The Senate’s oversight mission includes:
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Sector-by-sector budget tracking
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Review of project timelines and outcomes
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Transparent reporting to the Nigerian public
The panel’s findings are expected within the week. Until then, all eyes remain on the National Assembly as Nigerians await results that could determine the success or failure of emergency governance in Rivers.
️ Beyond Stabilization: Delivering Real Impact
The Senate’s insistence on “value for money” sends a clear message: emergency governance must not only restore law and order but also produce tangible improvements in infrastructure, education, healthcare, and security.
Failure to do so, analysts warn, could cast doubt on future uses of emergency rule elsewhere in Nigeria.
