Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (retd.), Sole Administrator of Rivers State, has confirmed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive to restore democratic governance in the state has been effectively executed.
Ibas made the announcement during the official submission of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) report at Government House, Port Harcourt, on Friday.
Reflecting on the President’s directive given on March 18, 2025, he said: “Mr. President’s mandate to me was clear: to stabilise the state, create an enabling environment for the re-establishment of its institutions, and return Rivers State back to full democratic governance. With the successful conduct and swearing-in of local government chairmen and their councils, I believe we have decisively achieved the mandate that we were given.”
The administrator noted that the just-concluded local government elections across the 23 Local Government Areas of Rivers State, followed by the swearing-in of elected leaders, marked a milestone in the democratic recovery of the state.
He lauded RSIEC for conducting what he called a credible, transparent, and peaceful exercise, free from voter intimidation. He assured that the state government would study the report carefully and release a white paper soon.
RSIEC Chairman, Dr. Mike Odey, while presenting the commission’s findings, described the election as a “historic achievement,” emphasizing its coordination and conclusion within a record 30-day timeframe — a first in Nigeria’s political history.
“The report highlights our modest achievements, our challenges, and provides key recommendations that will strengthen future elections in Rivers State,” Odey noted.
Ibas expressed gratitude to his team, security operatives, and officials who worked tirelessly to ensure the success of the assignment.
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