A wave of tension has swept through Rivers State following a sharp directive from Vice Admiral Ibok-Etteh Ibas (retd), the state’s Sole Administrator, demanding that all local government chairpersons submit a detailed financial report covering the past two years. The sudden instruction triggered confusion among council heads and raised concerns over potential investigations or restructuring.
In a separate but equally heated development, the Rivers State Government has called out the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) over a controversial ₦300 million payment made for the now-relocated 2025 Annual General Conference. The state insists the money was transferred under a mutual agreement that Port Harcourt would host the high-profile event. However, the NBA’s recent decision to move the conference to Enugu has been described by the government as a betrayal of trust and a violation of that understanding.
The administration’s spokesperson, Hector Igbikiowubo, made it clear that the funds were not a gift, as claimed by the NBA, but were strictly tied to the hosting rights for the event. He stated that both parties had entered the agreement in good faith with the expectation that Rivers State would benefit economically from the influx of visitors and national attention. The decision to move the conference was labeled as unethical and a serious breach of agreement.
The government has now demanded an immediate refund and warned that failure to return the funds will result in legal action. Officials emphasized that the money belongs to the people of Rivers State and must be returned if the agreement is not honored. Despite the tension, the administration reiterated its willingness to work with the NBA and other professional bodies but stressed it would not allow the state or its people to be exploited.
This call for accountability comes at a time when trust and transparency are under scrutiny, with both financial integrity and inter-organizational relationships hanging in the balance.
