Tinubu Meets Former Rivers State Administrator Ibas at Aso Villa Amid Financial Scrutiny
President Bola Tinubu, on Wednesday evening, held a closed-door meeting with the former sole administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. The meeting comes as investigations into the state’s finances during the emergency rule deepen.
Sources disclosed that Ibas arrived at the State House around 5:50 p.m., dressed in a brown native outfit. He was joined by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, and the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukayede — both key figures in the ongoing probe.
Earlier in the day, Edun was seen entering the villa alone and later returned carrying a file, suggesting the President’s engagement with Ibas was of considerable significance.
Ibas served as Rivers State’s administrator from March to mid-September 2025 under a six-month emergency rule declared by the federal government. His tenure ended on September 17 following President Tinubu’s directive to reinstate suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and the state’s House of Assembly.
Following the restoration of democratic governance, the Rivers State House of Assembly, led by Speaker Martin Amaewhule, passed a resolution to investigate the financial activities carried out under Ibas’ watch. Lawmakers are specifically looking into expenditures from the consolidated revenue fund, contract awards, and other financial decisions made during the emergency period.
Public records indicate that Rivers State received a total of N254.37 billion from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) between March and August 2025 — funds that were under the control of the Ibas-led administration.
Despite the scrutiny, Ibas has dismissed the probe, maintaining that all actions taken during his administration were lawful and in line with constitutional provisions.
As of press time, details of the discussions between President Tinubu and Ibas had not been officially released.
