Rivers State Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (retd.), has announced that the mandate given to him by President Bola Tinubu has been “sufficiently achieved” following the restoration of democratic governance at the grassroots level.
Ibas made the statement on Friday at Government House, Port Harcourt, during the formal presentation of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) report on the recently concluded local government elections.
He recalled that on March 18, 2025, President Tinubu directed him to stabilise the state, rebuild its institutions, and restore full democratic governance.
“With the successful conduct and swearing-in of local government chairmen and councillors across all 23 local government areas, I believe we have decisively achieved the mandate that we were given,” Ibas said.
He praised RSIEC for delivering what he described as a free, fair, and transparent election, noting that the process was peaceful and allowed voters to express their choices without intimidation.
Ibas added that the government would carefully review the RSIEC report and issue a white paper, while commending his team, security agencies, and state officials for their contributions to the process.
RSIEC Chairman Dr Mike Odey, who presented the report, called the election a “historic achievement” for Rivers and the nation, pointing out that it was planned, executed, and concluded within 30 days — a first in Nigeria’s electoral history.
“The report highlights our modest achievements, our challenges, and provides key recommendations that will strengthen future elections in Rivers State,” Odey stated.
