Atedo Peterside, the founder of IBTC Bank, has called on Rivers State’s only administrator, Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, to provide an explanation for the contentious appointments he just made.
Ibas, a native of Cross River State, received a severe reprimand from Peterside for what he called exacerbating the already tense situation in Rivers State.
Peterside accused Ibas of assigning unfit people to key roles in Rivers State during his Thursday appearance on Arise News.
He pushed the Sole Administrator to provide an explanation of the selection procedure, specifically for the local government and Rivers State Electoral Commission.
“I challenge him to explain to the country how he selected the people he appointed. Did he publicize the positions? Did he call for nominations? Did he look throughout Rivers State for the most capable, honest, and skilled individuals? Peterside inquired.
Peterside, a prominent figure in the state, emphasized that Rivers residents knew one another well and would not put up with being run by individuals who are, in his words, “riff raffs.”
He made the point that these appointments, which were made in an opaque manner, were disrespectful to the state’s citizens and its resources.
The Appointment Procedure at Ibas Under scrutiny, Peterside voiced dissatisfaction with Ibas’ management of the matter, pointing out that Ibas had taken office in an unusual way.
He came out in a crooked way. In reference to the contentious appointment procedure, he stated, “I would say the executive was misguided.” Additionally, he criticized the voice vote used to approve Ibas’ appointment, claiming it was opaque and legally dubious.
Voice votes do not make any sense. It can never prove two-thirds,” Peterside said, referring to the flawed process in the state assembly when Ibas was appointed.
“Even in the House of Representatives, we don’t even know how many people were in the room,” he added, criticising the lack of accountability and clarity in the process.
Peterside further questioned Ibas’ judgment and his understanding of his role as Sole Administrator.
“He knows he’s on shifty ground, and what has he done? You know, they say, make some appointments, and I’ll tell you who you are. He’s made some appointments, even the Rivers State Electoral Commission,” Peterside said.
He emphasised that Ibas, who lacks a proper mandate, should have left the management of local governments to the senior full-time staff instead of imposing new appointees on the state.
The former presidential adviser also highlighted Ibas’ lack of local understanding, stating, “A man leaves Cross River State, comes to Rivers State in an inflamed situation, and I challenge him to tell the nation what process he used in making the appointments.”
Peterside’s remarks were a call for transparency and accountability from Ibas, as he insisted that such undemocratic practices should not be tolerated.
“I think that is disrespectful to the people of Rivers State. He should be called to order immediately. There should be no mistake whatsoever that we will sit down forever and accept persons being appointed to lord over our state and our resources,” he concluded.
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