Full List: Reps Constitute 19-Member Committee to Oversee Emergency Rule in Rivers State

The House of Representatives has named a 19-member ad hoc committee to oversee the implementation of emergency rule in Rivers State, following the approval of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s proclamation by the National Assembly.

The committee is chaired by the House Leader, Professor Julius Ihonvbere, and will be officially inaugurated on Tuesday, April 15, by Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen. Minority Whip Hon. Ali Isa J.C. will serve as Deputy Chairman, alongside other prominent lawmakers including Deputy Chief Whip Hon. Isiaka Ayokunle Ibrahim, former Deputy Speaker Hon. Idris Ahmed Wase, North-East Caucus Leader Hon. Aliyu Muktar Betera, and North-West Caucus Leader Hon. Sada Soli.

Also named to the oversight committee are South-West Caucus Leader James Abiodun Faleke, South-East Caucus Leader Igariwey Iduma Enwo, as well as Shehu Saleh Rijau, Wole Oke, Akarachi Etinosa Amadi, Patrick Umoh, James Barka, Alex Egbona, Isa Anka, Amos Daniel, Erhiatake Ibori-Suenu, Onuh Onyeche Blessing, and Fatima Talba. The committee’s secretariat will be led by the Chief of Staff to the Speaker, Professor Jake Dan-Azumi.

House spokesman Akintunde Rotimi stated that the formation of the committee follows a rigorous legislative process and reflects amendments made to strengthen democratic oversight. He explained that one of the key amendments was the designation of the National Assembly, rather than the Federal Executive Council, as the primary oversight body for all regulations under the emergency rule.

According to Rotimi, the committee is empowered by Section 5 of the 2025 State of Emergency (Rivers State) Proclamation and Section 11(4) of the Nigerian Constitution. Its mandate is to ensure that governance in Rivers State during the emergency period aligns with constitutional principles, the rule of law, and democratic accountability.

He emphasized that the House remains committed to upholding the supremacy of the constitution and ensuring that all emergency measures are subject to transparent legislative oversight in the best interest of the people of Rivers State.