The Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral (Rtd) Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, has announced that the directive entrusted to him by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR has been “sufficiently achieved,” following the restoration of democratic governance at the local government level.
The declaration was made at Government House, Port Harcourt, during the formal presentation of the comprehensive report on the recently concluded local government elections by the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC).
In his address, Ibas said the peaceful conduct of the polls and the swearing-in of elected chairmen and councillors across all 23 Local Government Areas directly fulfilled the presidential mandate given to him on March 18, 2025.
“Mr. President’s instruction was clear: stabilize the state, create an enabling environment for institutions to thrive, and return Rivers State to full democratic governance,” he noted. “With the successful conduct and swearing-in of local government councils, I believe we have decisively achieved that mandate.”
The Administrator praised RSIEC for delivering a fair, transparent, and credible election, widely recognized within and outside the state. He emphasized that the exercise was conducted without harassment, allowing citizens to freely elect their preferred leaders.
Ibas assured that his administration would carefully review the RSIEC report and issue an official government white paper. He expressed gratitude to his team, security agencies, and state officials, describing their joint efforts as “what it takes to build nations.”
Presenting the report, RSIEC Chairman Dr. Mike Odey hailed the elections as a “historic achievement” for Rivers State and Nigeria. He highlighted the Commission’s success in conducting a full electoral process from notice of election to final declaration of winners within just 30 days, a record in Nigerian electoral history.
Dr. Odey credited the smooth exercise to strong collaboration with political parties, civil society, and security agencies, as well as adequate funding provided by the Administrator. He affirmed that the election was conducted in strict compliance with the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission Law of 2018 (as amended).
The RSIEC Chairman also commended the people of Rivers State for their peaceful participation, while expressing hope for the state’s continued progress and prosperity.
