Former Chief of Naval Staff Vice Admiral Ibok Ete Ekwe Ibas rtd slams Rivers lawmakers for attempting to probe him describing the move as a fools errand A deep dive into the controversy political undertones and wider implications for governance in Rivers State .
Nigeria is no stranger to confrontations between public figures and lawmakers and the latest drama unfolding in Rivers State highlights this reality Former Chief of Naval Staff Vice Admiral Ibok Ete Ekwe Ibas retired has found himself at the center of political controversy Reports emerged that the Rivers State House of Assembly has set its eyes on probing him over alleged irregularities and mismanagement In a sharp and direct response Ibas dismissed the move describing it as nothing more than a fools errand His words have sparked a heated debate about accountability vendettas and the culture of oversight in Nigerias democracy .
Who Is Vice Admiral Ibok Ete Ekwe Ibas
Vice Admiral Ibas served as the 22nd Chief of Naval Staff from July 2015 until January 2021 during the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari His time in office was noted for bold campaigns against piracy in the Gulf of Guinea reforms in maritime security and significant efforts at modernizing naval assets After stepping down he largely kept out of the public spotlight until this probe move thrust him back into the political limelight .
For many in Rivers State Ibas represents both discipline and loyalty to the federal government His image as a disciplined military officer and his ties to national power blocs may explain why the state assembly has now turned its attention toward him .
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The Rivers Lawmakers Probe Move
The Rivers State House of Assembly which has been battling internal divisions and power struggles recently declared its intention to probe Ibas The specific allegations remain unclear but reports suggest the lawmakers may be looking into issues of contract awards security related expenditures and potential misuse of office dating back to his time as naval chief .
Critics of the lawmakers believe this action is politically motivated noting that Ibas holds no current position in either state or federal government Supporters however insist that no one is above scrutiny and that accountability must apply to all regardless of past or present office .
Ibas Responds Such An Enterprise Amounts To A Fools Errand
In his reaction Vice Admiral Ibas blasted the Rivers lawmakers describing their actions as baseless and malicious He stated clearly that the attempt to probe him amounted to a fools errand declaring that he had served the country with diligence and transparency According to him all contracts and security operations during his time were carried out under proper procedures and closely supervised by federal authorities He argued that the Rivers Assembly has no standing to reopen such matters .
Political Undertones and Power Play
Many observers see the entire episode not as a genuine accountability drive but as another chapter in the endless battle for political supremacy within Rivers State The state has long been a theater of rival factions with loyalties split between powerful figures in Abuja Some analysts believe targeting Ibas is a way of sending signals to federal allies while others see it as a distraction from pressing state issues such as insecurity unemployment and poor infrastructure .
By dismissing the probe so strongly Ibas is not only defending his record but also showing resistance to what he perceives as political harassment .
The Role of Oversight in Democracy
The controversy raises deeper questions about legislative oversight and its boundaries Lawmakers are empowered to probe matters of governance and the use of public funds Yet legitimacy depends on transparency jurisdiction and due process Critics argue that targeting a retired naval officer stretches those limits and gives the impression of a witch hunt rather than genuine oversight The issue highlights the tension between holding leaders accountable and using probes as weapons of political warfare .
Reactions From Stakeholders
Civil society voices have urged the Rivers Assembly to concentrate on urgent governance issues rather than chasing retired officers Some political analysts caution that this move may worsen the political crisis already rocking the state A smaller group of supporters however insist that if Ibas has nothing to hide he should have no fear of an investigation The matter has sharply divided opinion fueling heated debates on both political platforms and social media .
What This Means for Rivers State Politics
The outcome of this confrontation could reshape the political dynamics of the state If the Rivers Assembly fails to convincingly pursue the probe it may face further credibility damage For Ibas the controversy could either stain his legacy or strengthen it depending on how events unfold More broadly the episode illustrates how accountability in Nigeria often gets entangled with vendetta and how fragile public trust in governance institutions remains .
Conclusion
The clash between Vice Admiral Ibok Ete Ekwe Ibas and the Rivers lawmakers is more than a dispute between individuals It reflects larger questions about the nature of oversight the limits of legislative authority and the persistence of political rivalries in Nigeria By calling the probe a fools errand Ibas has set himself on a collision course with the state assembly Whether the lawmakers can prove their claims or whether this fades as another political drama remains to be seen For the people of Rivers State however the greater concern is leadership that focuses on development rather than endless distractions .